Cool Jazz
(set 5)

Why is this era call cool jazz?

The term "cool jazz" refers to modern jazz that tends to be softer and easier than the bebop style of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. "Cool jazz" was a reaction to the very fast and harsh sounds of bebop offered the listener a more soft and subtle approach to jazz. Leading musicians in this style: trumpeter - Miles Davis, pianist - Lennie Tristano and baritone saxophonist - Gerry Mulligan were all influenced by music of Lester Young and his involvement with Count Bassie during the 1940's. Cool Jazz musicians at this time period were mainly centered in Southern California and New York during the early 1950's.

The Birth of The Cool

In 1949 and 1950, trumpeter Miles Davis organized recording sessions of a nine piece group in New York which has been referred to as the Miles Davis Nonet or the "Birth of the Cool." The main idea of the group, led by Davis, was to present a more subdued and lighter sound in contrast to the bebop style of Charlie Parker and Gillispie. To do this, Davis got musicians that complimented this type of style like: saxophonists Lee Konitz and Gerry Mulligan who both employed lightweight and airy tone qualities. To accentuate this style, Davis contributed his signature trumprt sound by playing with a special "harmon" mute on his trumpet. Along with the above musicians and a rhythm section, Davis added french horns, trombones and tuba to complete this harmonic texture of the cool jazz sound. Other musicians of the cool jazz sound also include pianist, Paul Desmond and saxophonist, Dave Brubeck, known as the Dave Brubeck Quartet. click on the pictures below to hear examples

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