Ryan Nossaman
Kings of Bebop
Thesis: Charlie Parker and Miles Davis influenced the music of their time changing the classic jazz structure into bebop.
Charlie Parker and Miles Davis who were (and still are), inarguably, two of the greatest performers, composers, and innovators that the American jazz world has ever experienced. Charlie Parker was considered the king of the original bebop. Miles Davis created music like nothing ever before heard and, like Bird, Miles did it his own way.
In 1939 Parker moved to New York City. He formed a friendship with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, with whom he would collaborate and develop the style of jazz known as “bebop,” which gets its name from the onomatopoeic(I love that word) rhythmic accents in the music. Both were able to perfect this style while playing in a big band led by pianist Earl Hines, also one of the legends of the big band era. More history....etc.
One of Charlie’s most famous works is “Anthropology.” This one deserves recognition because of its rhythmic & melodic “vitality” and its harmonic insinuation. The tempo is insanely fast and the performance is stunning. This piece is different from the typical “jazz form” because of it’s inconclusive phrasing.
Miles Davis came from middle class beginnings. He was raised in a suburb of St. Louis. Spurred by famous artists of his time, such as Gillespie and Parker, Davis pursued a career in music. In September of 1944 he applied for the Juilliard School of Music. Eager for a mentor Davis searched out Gil Evans, a famous arranger/composer. Later in his career, Miles entered a “dark phase” due to heroin addiction. This would influence most of his major works.
The Birth of Cool album is a beautifully made contemplation of Miles Davis’ works. "Boplicity" provides further proof: instrumental parts that are carefully crafted, beautiful to play and sound improvised, yet together result in a rich-textured ensemble that seems bigger than nine...