70th anniversary of the first bebop recording
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Seventy years ago this week, the first bebop recordings were made. They were performed by a band featuring Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespe, Max Roach and bassist Oscar Pettiford who grew up in the Twin Cities.
It's thought that swing music evolved into bebop during World War II because the big jazz bands lost lots of members to the service. As a result, smaller groups were formed that emphasized the individual improvisation and musical experimentation which characterized bebop.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.