The Brilliance and Genius of Bebop

Following up on the History of Jazz course offered in 2024, we will offer a deep dive course into the brilliant and innovative music called bebop, also known as modern jazz. Characterized by rapid tempi, extended 20th century harmonies, challenging, rhythmic phrases and artistic sensibilities, bebop changed the course of jazz bringing art music to what was primarily popular dance music prior to the rise of the new music. Creative and virtuosic geniuses of music such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis raised the level of jazz to dizzying heights of originality, brilliance, and ingenuity. We will investigate the origins of bebop by listening to greats like Lester Young and Charlie Christian.