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Jazz Revolution in 1959: Key Albums

Dec 7, 2024

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Jazz in 1959: A Transformative Year

Key Albums

  1. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

    • The best-selling jazz album ever, over 5 million copies sold.
    • Recorded in just seven hours, with most tracks being first takes.
    • Known for its simplicity and introspective style.
    • Influenced by bebop but simplified by Davis.
    • Featured musicians like John Coltrane.

  2. Dave Brubeck - Time Out

    • Known for experimenting with different tempos and time signatures.
    • "Take Five" became the best-selling jazz single.
    • Brubeck was accused of diluting jazz for mass (white) consumption.
    • Touring highlighted racial issues, especially in the southern US.

  3. Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um

    • Mingus didn't believe in historical boundaries for styles.
    • Known for powerful compositions like "Better Get It in Your Soul."
    • Integrated political messages about racism, e.g., "Fables of Faubus."
    • Mingus was known for his volatility but also his demand for genuine expression.

  4. Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come

    • Pioneered the free jazz movement.
    • Known for removing traditional structures in jazz.
    • Initial reception was mixed; considered chaotic by some.
    • Coleman focused on sound rather than traditional melody.

1959 Contextual Background

  • Cultural Impact

    • Jazz was reaching a broader (mostly white) American audience.
    • Musicians were intertwined with the civil rights movement.

  • Political Influence

    • Charles Mingus used his platform to speak on civil rights issues.
    • Fables of Faubus criticized segregation and racism.

  • Musical Innovation

    • Movement away from bebop towards introspection and freedom in jazz.
    • Integration of different time signatures and improvisation techniques.

Notable Figures and Their Contributions

  • Miles Davis

    • Transformed jazz by simplifying bebop.
    • Created a cool, introspective trumpet style.

  • Dave Brubeck

    • Popularized jazz with unusual time signatures.
    • Faced racial criticism but remained committed to jazz innovation.

  • Charles Mingus

    • Known for his temper and demand for authenticity.
    • Used his music as a platform for political and personal expression.

  • Ornette Coleman

    • Revolutionized jazz with free-form style.
    • Emphasized emotional expression over traditional structure.

Legacy

  • Influence on Future Music
    • These four albums contributed to a shift in jazz, opening it to new forms and audiences.
    • Encouraged freedom and individuality in jazz expression.

Conclusion

1959 was a landmark year in jazz, marked by groundbreaking albums that challenged traditional structures and social norms. The artists and their work from this year continue to influence jazz and broader music genres to this day.

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