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The Evolution of Modern Jazz


Shadorne's thread "Outstanding Examples of Musicianship" inspired me to begin this thread. While Shadorne stated that all genre's were welcome, I felt that me and another jazz aficionado were beginning to dominate that thread. Shadorne is a "Rocker", bless his heart. This community functions best when like minded people engage in common dialogue.

The title explains this thread. We will use "youtube" the same as in Shardone's thread to illustrate our examples, and now I begin.

In the beginning, there was Charlie "Bird" Parker, and he said "Let there Be Bop" and thus it began. While walking down the street, Bird ran into John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, who had similar ideas, so they "Bopped" down the street together; Bird on alto sax and Diz on trumpet. My first illustration of this new music is "Bloomdido" with Bird and Diz. We should cover "Be Bop" in depth before we go to the next phase of this evolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCGweQ8Oso&NR=1
orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Let me explain how I think this discussion should proceed. Now, we are in a time frame from late 50's to very early 70's. "Any" good jazz recorded within that time frame is ripe for discussion, including vocals.

Anita O'Day is one jazzy lady who I like, she has style. I have two selections I would like to share with you, one is to see her style, and the other is to hear my favorite song by Anita.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agp2on83hrA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6LTGDYzXNE
frogman
7,467 posts
 
Grimace makes a great point, and one that should be remembered when discussing hard bop, as well as any other genre. The evolution of any art form is a continuum. New styles seldom pop up out of the blue (pun intended). This is a great thread, and exactly what I would love to see more of on Agon. But I think it would be great to dig a little deeper as concerns the artists, and the chronology of it all. In discussions such as this, we tend to focus on artists who gain prominence for a variety of resons; some not so obvious. When we think of hard bop tenor we think of Trane more often than not. But who knows what Trane would have sounded like had there been no Dexter Gordon; one of Trane's biggest influences (by Trane's own admission)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4mUgVPyT0&feature=related

Check out Tete Montoliu on piano. Brilliant, and unfortunately not well known is this country.

Qdrone, while Miles is often credited for spawning the fusion movement, there were artists of less prominence (at the time) who beat him to the punch. Guitarist Larry Coryell, vibist Gary Burton, and rockers Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, had all been part of projects which fused jazz and rock, before Miles experimented in that realm.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Every time I hear Grant Green, I almost break out in tears. He died of a heart attack in 79 because he went on the road against his doctors orders because he needed the money.

If his body of works that was done at Blue Note in the early 60's had been given exposure, he would not have had any financial problems.

Grant had so many works of art that it's difficult to choose one, but I did; "Idle Moments" by Grant Green.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbEwVrDmlxk&feature=related

We can't discuss the evolution without discussing the players who made it happen.
qdrone
1,039 posts
 
Orpheus you actualy should read Alfred Lions take on Grant Greens body of work that was not released before blaming Blue Note.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Qdrone, I can't find anything. Could you email me?
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