Does anybody really play bebop these days?

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

If nobody plays bop anymore, what's all the fuss with Barry Harris?

[ragman1]

He's dead. But alive in the bebop era and a 'real' bebop musician. Plus he invented his own method which still interests some people. That's what most of the fuss is about rather than his recordings.

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

He's dead. But alive in the bebop era and a 'real' bebop musician.

no I mean all the fuss with his instruction. People talk about him as if he was/is THE pied piper of jazz improv training.

[ragman1]

I've just said what it was. Or did I edit before you saw it?

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

I've just said what it was. Or did I edit before you saw it?

. You edited after I saw it.

[ragman1]

Right, sorry. I could explain the idea quite easily but it might be a lot simpler if you googled it yourself. Personally, I find it confusing to implement although there's a certain logic to it.

[AlsoRan]

Right, sorry. I could explain the idea quite easily but it might be a lot simpler if you googled it yourself. Personally, I find it confusing to implement although there's a certain logic to it.

Sir Ragman, this video explained it in such a way that even I could hear it and understand it at least in a rudimentary way.

[kris]

I just call it mainstream jazz if it swings and if it don't swing I call it "the other stuff'.

+1

[kris]

...and isn't it like that you don't play real be-bop, but you learn on real be-bop...?
I guess that's the whole truth.

[frankhond]

Ok...so...today's pros...who says they play bebop?

Right off the cuff, Sheryl Bailey.

But this is all a red herring. Lots of pro players will say “and now we play a bebop tune”. That doesn’t mean they only play bebop ever. Why would anyone want to limit themselves to something from the past exclusively?

[Jimmy Smith]

I think there are some great players these days who clearly play bebop. No it is not 1940s bebop because we're not in the 1940s.

My teacher for example, playing his original 'I'll remember Jimmy.'

[kris]

Isn't playing be-bop sometimes a limitation of possibilities?

[ragman1]

this video explained it in such a way that even I could hear it and understand it at least in a rudimentary way.

Thank you. Let's hope the OP's life will never be the same again :-)

[Christian Miller]

The bebop language underpins most modern/contemporary jazz phraseology. So in a sense everyone plays bop. Except some die hard swing and trad players maybe.

[Christian Miller]

no I mean all the fuss with his instruction. People talk about him as if he was/is THE pied piper of jazz improv training.

well he kind of was. He taught and played with everyone. The more I learn the more ridiculous it gets haha. It’s nice being able to say I share a teacher with Joe Henderson, Kenny Burrell and Paul Chambers (not that that is any claim to fame; Barry had a LOT of students, quite a few on JGO - and I was never one of the inner circle haha)

and fifteen years ago there was like 10 people at his workshops in London. Now he’s a meme… even certain YouTubers who were dismissive of Barry a few years back on this very forum are suddenly making videos about him. Hmmm. I’ll assume they’ve seen the light haha.

As far as recordings go… he is also one of my favourite jazz players of all time.. that dark tone, that sly swing..

[kris]

does Django have anything to do with be-bop?

[grahambop]

These guys preserved it!

The Be-Bop Preservation Society | Discography | Discogs

[Tal_175]

The bebop language underpins most modern/contemporary jazz phraseology. So in a sense everyone plays bop. Except some die hard swing and trad players maybe.

John Scofield uses bebop language phrases but I wouldn't say that he is a bebop guitarists. Almost all jazz musicians that came after the 50's have a variety of influences in their music in addition to bebop I would say.

[Jimmy Smith]

does Django have anything to do with be-bop?

I've always said he was one of the fathers. Playing proto bebop in the 30s.

[Jimmy Smith]

no I mean all the fuss with his instruction. People talk about him as if he was/is THE pied piper of jazz improv training.

He was a part of the golden age, and he happened to be one of the most influential and effective teachers. But by all means don't disregard everything else and only listen to BH.

[kris]

I've always said he was one of the fathers. Playing proto bebop in the 30s.

Towards the end of his life he was moving more towards be-bop.

[Christian Miller]

John Scofield uses bebop language phrases. But I wouldn't say that he is a bebop guitarists. Almost all jazz musicians that came after the 50's have a variety of influences in their music in addition to bebop I would say.

Well I did say ‘in a sense’

But there’s a reason why most jazz players education takes in bop.

[Tal_175]

Well I did say ‘in a sense’

But there’s a reason why most jazz players education takes in bop.

That's true. But my understanding of the original post is, mr. beaumont is asking if there are musicians who play bebop in a more pure, preservationist way like in the gypsy jazz tradition. I think it's hard to say that even for the old school players like Bruce Forman.

[grahambop]

You need the right gear to play bebop.

[GuyBoden]

Listening to Charlie Parker should be compulsory for all wouldbe Jazzers. To my ears, it's the DNA of all small group Jazz that came after.

I'm still listening and learning from Charlie Parker and always will be.