Hardbop (Continued)
The techniques, performance practices, creativity, and ability to evolve of saxophonist John Coltrane illustrate that jazz musicians did not see themselves exclusively as performers of any particular styles but rather as wholistic jazz artists. This concept is particularly evident when listening to his 1960 seminal album Giant Steps.
The first track, “Giant Steps” , illustrates bebop fluid melodic and chromatic lines against the piano comping, a walking bass, and drums performing the swing rhythm while providing accenting, all of this at a fast tempo. If one thinks “Giant Steps” is fast, listen to “Countdown” , another bebop-style piece played at an even quicker tempo. The piece begins with a drum solo, followed by a duet between drums and saxophone. Eventually, the piano enters, often playing on each count of the bar with some comping, then finally the bass enters close to the end of the piece playing the typical walking bass pattern. In contrast, “Naima” , with its harmonic sonorities of embellished chords played by the pianist against Coltrane’s minimal-note approach to the main theme, all played at a slow tempo, is reminiscent of cool jazz. His song “Alabama” is perhaps what defines him as a performer of hard bop. In this instance, his playing style gives the impression of being reflective of various discrimination circumstances such as his feeling about the negative treatment of Blacks in Alabama.
As is the case with Mingus and Coltrane, the vast and impressive musical output of saxophonist Sonny Rollins cannot be explained in a few pages. His placement in this hard bop section is for the same reason as what was mentioned about Coltrane, and also for his melodic and rhythmic phrasing. When listening to Rollins "God Bless the Child" (00:00-01:30) one gets the impression of a reflective performance. However, the 2014 documentary film titled Beyond the Notes chronicles his jazz activities from the beginning to his retirement (from performance). Below is a trailer of the film.
Sonny Rollins Beyond the Notes [ 00:00-00:00 ]
In summary, hardbop continues to have a profound influence on current jazz practice. Moreover, its varied styles and methodologies have served as essential departure points for aspiring musicians and jazz audiences alike in jazz communities worldwide.
Heebie Jeebies
Say, I've got the Heebies
I mean the Jeebies
Talking about
The dance, the Heebie Jeebies
Do, because they're boys
Because it pleases me to be joy
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He's in the army now, a blowin' reveille
He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B