Jazz

Jazz is a musical art form that was developed in the early 20th century by American slaves in an attempt to keep some of their cultures and customs alive. Jazz was born in New Orleans and has undergone different stages of metamorphosis since its conception due to the high rate of cultural diversity in the region. The French, English, African, Italian, Caribbean, Mexican, and German cultures have all lent a part of their culture to the image of what Jazz is today. 

In the early days, jazz was played for dancing purposes, however, as time progressed, people started to listen to it too. The music can be used to express a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness to boundless joy, jazz represents language and freedom. Essentially, it is a musical language that can be used to express freedom. Jazz can be played on any instrument, however, the most commonly used instruments used are saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, drums, bass, and guitar. 

Jazz is a very melodious music genre with a forward momentum called a swing. The musical instruments used in the creation of the music often call and respond to one another. A phenomenon that does not go unnoticed by all who listen to the music. The evolution of Jazz has seen the genre give birth to other genres like Hard Bop Jazz, Cool Jazz, and Bebop Jazz or Hip Jazz Bop. 

BeBop

Bebop, also called bop or hip jazz bop was created in the late 1940s. The term was derived from the two-tone staccato sound in jazz music. The creation of Bebop was not well received by the public and already existing old jazz musicians. This caused Jazz musicians to split into two groups; the old staunch jazz musicians and the new, younger musicians who were more open to change and experimentation.

While Jazz is diatonic, consisting of Western major harmonies and minor 7-note scales, Bebop is fully chromatic, making use of all the twelve notes on the chromatic scale. Furthermore, Bebop added substituted chords to jazz’s already existing harmonies. Bebop’s instruments usually comprise a trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, and drums. 

In the early years of its conception, bebop was economically important as it addressed the issue of racism which was rampant at the time.

Hard Bop

If bebop is an offspring of jazz, hard bop is the offspring of bebop and the grandchild of jazz itself. Hard Bop was created in the 1950s after the existing forms of jazz has been incorporated with musical styles from other factions like gospel and blues. Furthermore, this subgenre was also created as a response to the creation of cool jazz. 

The instruments used to create the sounds in hard bop are similar to the ones employed in bebop. However, hard bop is divided into two main factions; funky jazz and;  mainstream jazz. Funky jazz, with its simple and easy sounds, was derived mostly from gospel music and blues. Mainstream jazz, on the other hand, is more complex. It combines the complexities of bebop with the easy flow of funky jazz, creating complex melodies in the process. 

In the end, all forms are Jazz are a form of music, art and most importantly, , and it serves as one of the best forms expression to witness live.