The Birth of Bebop: A Social and Musical History
by Scott DeVeaux
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Description
The richest place in America's musical landscape is that fertile ground occupied by jazz. Scott DeVeaux takes a central chapter in the history of jazz--the birth of bebop--and shows how our contemporary ideas of this uniquely American art form flow from that pivotal moment. At the same time, he provides an extraordinary view of the United States in the decades just prior to the civil rights movement. DeVeaux begins with an examination of the Swing Era, focusing particularly on the show more position of African American musicians. He highlights the role played by tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, a "progressive" committed to a vision in which black jazz musicians would find a place in the world commensurate with their skills. He then looks at the young musicians of the early 1940s, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk, and links issues within the jazz world to other developments on the American scene, including the turmoil during World War II and the pervasive racism of the period. Throughout, DeVeaux places musicians within the context of their professional world, paying close attention to the challenges of making a living as well as of making good music. He shows that bebop was simultaneously an artistic movement, an ideological statement, and a commercial phenomenon. In drawing from the rich oral histories that a living tradition provides, DeVeaux's book resonates with the narratives of individual lives. While The Birth of Bebop is a study in American cultural history and a critical musical inquiry, it is also a fitting homage to bebop and to those who made it possible. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A bit dense, but the big point--that Coleman Hawkins and other late swing stars (such as Art Tatum) had already largely set the table for the bop revolution, before the chef, Charlie Parker, went to work--is well taken and well-argued.
A very thorough treastise on the musical and historical background behind bebop. The focus is narrowed to Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker - not a complaint but a warning. This book provides the best understanding of the musical context of jazz I have ever read. The infuence of social pressure on the music is well handled, but secondary to the musical thesis (as it should be.) Wonderful book.
Although some parts are difficult to read by someone without a formal education in music (as is my case), the "Social (...) History" part is absolutely fascinating.
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JAZZZZ
87 works; 1 member
Author Information
7 Works 307 Members
Awards and Honors
Classifications
- Genres
- Music, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 781.655 — Arts & recreation Music General principles and musical forms Traditions of music Jazz {equally instrumental and vocal} Modern jazz
- LCC
- ML3506 .D48 — Music Literature on music Literature on music History and criticism Popular music
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 131
- Popularity
- 249,212
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.42)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
