1. Hard Bop, Funky, Gospel Jazz
Chapter 11
Hard Bop,
Funky,
Gospel Jazz

2. Originally referred to as “Funky Hard Bop Regression”
Funky refers to rollicking rhythmic feeling
Sometimes referred to as soul
Associated with African American church music
Hard refers to a more driving performance
Bop regression implies a return to the elements of bop
African Americans sought a link with their roots
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3. Intent A reaction to the intellectualism of cool
Hard bop was a lively, emotional contrast
Adopted American oral idioms found in gospel and blues
Geographically pointed to New York
Refer to Demonstration 8
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The Music
Borrowed and simulated blues and gospel by use of blue tones and ambiguous tonality
Loose styled tunes with melodies harmonized in a manner similar to church performances
Many tunes played in minor key
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Gospel jazz
An extension of the funky style
Use of more triadic harmonies
Definite feeling of early gospel music
Use of plagal cadence (amen chords)
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6. Horace Silver (b. 1928) Progenitor of the funky style
Founded Jazz Messengers with Art Blakey
Contributed much to the jazz canon
Standardized the quintet sound of the 50s and 60s
Listen to “The Preacher”
CD 2, track 4
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Art Blakey ( )
At the forefront of the jazz mainstream
Career lasted 40 years
discovered many future
jazz greats
Led the Jazz Messengers
Defined the aggressive, hard bop approach to drumming
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8. Sonny Rollins (b. 1930) Great influence beginning in the late 1950s
A melodic/thematic improviser
More concerned with thematic development
Long evolving solos
Style imitated by many younger players
Listen to “Blue 7” CD 2, track 5
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John Coltrane ( )
Universally agreed to be one of the most important saxophonists of the 20th century
Short but meteoric career - 12 years
First important recordings with Miles Davis
Classic quartet with McCoy Tyner, piano; Elvin Jones, drums; Jimmy Garrison, bass
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Coltrane -continued-
Masterful technique
Fast arpeggios referred to as “Sheets of sound”
Great coordination and speed
Advanced harmonic improvisation
Made use of higher harmonics
Reintroduced the soprano saxophone
Introduced new devices
Sequences, arhythmic playing
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Coltrane’s legacy
Beautiful, modern tone
Harmonic manipulation
Technical proficiency
Comfortable in all registers of the instrument
Passionate approach
Important compositions
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Charles Mingus ( )
Difficult to categorize
Eclectic styles
Identified with funky, gospel, free
Ties to swing and bop traditions
Bass playing and compositions possessed a rare emotional intensity
Listen to “Eclipse”
CD 3 track 12
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