So what is cool jazz?

History of cool jazz

The style known as cool jazz started in New York in the late 1940s. Arrangers such as Gerry Mulligan, Gil Evans and John Lewis worked out a style with very different harmonic and melodic ideas. The playing of Lester Young, who often created melodies in his solos rather than short phrases or "licks", also influenced this approach. Another aspect of the style is that the music contains improvised passages, but also is much more "arranged", and has many more composed elements than the standard swing, dixieland, or be-bop styles of jazz. 

The use of non-traditional jazz instruments (such as french horn and tuba) was also explored by these revolutionary arrangers, composers, and players. This culminated in the late 1940's with a group that worked with Miles Davis and performed a few gigs.  This style was not all that well received, but they made what came to be an important recording.

It wasn't until 1957 that the majority of the recording was released, and became hugely popular. This was the album the "Birth of the Cool". While Miles Davis received much of the credit for the album, Mulligan, Evans and the other arrangers and composers really crafted the tunes and the feel of the album.

Cool jazz, played live!

Before you read the rest of this article, watch Mulligan and Bob Brookmeyer in action on Mulligan's famous tune "Line For Lyons".

(Read the rest of Cool Jazz Defined)