Cool Jazz

Cool Jazz was at the forefront of jazz and went through its most concentrated growth and development from 1949 – 1955.¹ 

1. Whereas Bebop was “hot” (i.e., loud, exciting, and loose), Cool Jazz was “cool” (i.e., soft, more reserved, and controlled).
2. Unlike Bebop, much of Cool Jazz was arranged (written) ahead of time. In Bebop the emphasis was on the improvised solos; in Cool Jazz both the arrangement and the improvised solos were important.
3. Cool Jazz was a blending of jazz and classical music. Whereas Bebop bands were usually a quartet or quintet and were comprised of saxophone and/or trumpet and rhythm section, Cool Jazz groups had a wider variety of size and instrumentation.
   1. they ranged in size from trios to nonets (nine-piece band)
   2. "classical" instruments such as flute, French horn, tuba, and vibraphone (vibes) were often found in Cool Jazz groups 

One of the first and most important Cool Jazz artists was trumpeter Miles Davis²; the first important Cool Jazz album was his Birth of the Cool. 

Other important Cool Jazz artists include:

1. pianist Dave Brubeck
2. trumpeter Chet Baker
3. baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan
4. the Modern Jazz Quartet

Listen to examples of Cool Jazz:

1. The Miles Davis Nonet’s "Boplicity" and the Gerry Mulligan Quartet’s "Bernie’s Tune" on The Instrumental History of Jazz
2. The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s "Take Five" (click below)