DIZZY GILLESPIE'S "The Cult of Bebop"



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"The Cult of Bebop"
 
 
 

ISSUES:
 

JAZZ

CULTURE

RACE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HOME
 

Reading Texts
 

"The Cult of Bebop"
 
 
 

ISSUES:
 

JAZZ

CULTURE

RACE
 
 
 
 
 

HOME
 

Reading Texts
 

"The Cult of Bebop"
 
 
 

ISSUES:
 

JAZZ

CULTURE

RACE

   JAZZ HISTORY and Bebop

Evolution of Bebop 

Bop emerged fully-formed into the public arena in 1945, due particularly to a recording strike during the previous years.  This emphasised the radical departure from Swing, that Bebop represented. 

Accounts of the development of Bebop intersect with interpretations of the changes in jazz music throughout its history.
 


INTERPRETATIONS

QUESTIONS

OTHER SOURCES

INTERPRETATIONS

The dichotomy:

A)  A theory of evolution is the traditional explanation for the development of jazz.  That is, gradual changes have occurred over time, which maintained certain elements.  Bebop remphasised elements of early jazz and blues that Swing had subsumed.
 

B)  Theory of revolution, which involves the idea of discontinuity.  A sudden change that brought in a new form, rejecting the status quo.  Hence Bebop was viewed as a deliberate reconstruction, which was evidence of broader socio-political currents.
 

Belgrad: 

Bebop was part of a culture of protest, an alternative worldview to the dominant liberal-coporate culture.  However, pre-Swing musical elements were also incorporated  within Bebop.
Linking Issues
Jazz History
Culture: Subculture
Race:  African-Americans and Jazz
QUESTIONS 

How did Dizzy explain contiuniuty and change within jazz?

Did Bebop seem to stimulate or respond to wider areas of change?

To what degree is bebop a form of protest?

See "The Cult of Bebop"
Intro    Lie One      Lie Four    Lie Six       Lie Six     Lie Six
     Lie Seven       Lie Eight       Lie Eight       Lie Eleven
 

OTHER SOURCES

January 27, 1950 interview with Miles Davies ‘Nothing But Bop? ‘Stupid,’ Says Miles’.

EXTERNAL DISCUSSION:

Compare the ideas of jazz evolution above, with 'Ken Burns' Jazz History, and a standard description of the musical progression.