This is classic hard bop. Less complex and florid than bop, but still taking advantage of the new harmonic vocabulary bop opened up. More bluesy and soulful (gospel influences were common), harder swinging, more broadly appealing to casual listeners. It was often also called "straightahead," and it's still a classic small-combo jazz sound. If someone wants me to introduce them to jazz, I'll play the Miles Live at the Blackhawk album, it's a perfect example of what made hard bop a great sound.
well, as I understand it, and I'm no musicologist, but bebop tended to be faster and existed mainly in small-band jazz of the 1940s & early 50s. by the mid 50s (and this video is from either late 50s or very early 60s) the tempos got a bit slower and the sound was evolving, both in harmonic structure (think coltrane, monk, mingus or eric dolphy's explorations in this time period) and also style influences (rhythm & blues, latin & brasilian music etc). at least - that's how I view it.
This is so incredibly groovy. Terrific!
Teacher: And now, fellas? Let's go to work!
Students: Long tones, veeeery long tones, right, teacher?
Teacher: Yeah, dat's what I wanna hear. Loooong tones. But make 'em swing too.
I have been listening to this band since I was in my early 20s -and I have a lotof there recordings -Man what a band -swung all the time georgeus rhythme section and Cannonball he absolutely amazes me with his fluent melodic lines never a mistake and did you know he was not only black ( bless him ) but also a Jewish fellow;what a combination for a swinging platform -
I love Cannon, his sound, his feel, his playing, so full of joyful blues, everything... not to mention his speaking voice, he sounds so wise. Beautiful.
And Nat is great too!!
