Hard bop, also called East Coast jazz, was a jazz genre that came as a reaction to cool jazz.

Hallmarks and Contributions to Jazz

  • dark, warm timbre (as opposed to the lighter timbre of cool jazz)
  • gospel/soul influence
  • bluesy & passionate
  • strong backbeat (e.g. “Moanin’“‘s bridge)
  • press roll before climax

Musicians

  • Art Blakey: drummer, bandleader
    • Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers
  • Sonny Rollins: tenor saxophonist
    • ”St Thomas” Calypso (Afro-Caribbean influence)
  • Thelonius Monk: pianist, bandleader
  • John Coltrane