1959 The Year that Changed Jazz Part 2

1959 The Year that Changed Jazz Part 2

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[JazzAnswer99]

Not exactly true. "Cool", at different times, was used to describe Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. It was a complement. Then, it acquired a racist connotation. "Cool" referred to white people. "Hot" to black people.

It has no meaning except what you want it to be.

I hate these dumb labels.

Bird is Bird.

Lennie Tristano is Lennie Tristano.

And people who try to label either of them are lazy and agenda-driven.

[Aaron Feldman]

Cool became the name used to describe a particular style played by mostly white players on the West coast, so it does have meaning as a recognizable style. Pianoless, Bop harmonics--but slowed down, often played in a gentle, not fiery (and thus cool) manner, lots of counter point between the horns, it was perceived by the public as more melodious and less complex than the Bop from which it grew. I'm not referring to the Modal Jazz that was pioneered by George Russell and Miles at decade's end.

[Aaron Feldman]

Part of Cool Jazz's appeal to a wide section of the populace was it's simplicity. Like Pop music it's direct, and its lack of complexity struck a chord with a mass audience.

[nepotiums]

Was that Rorschach on the background?