Cool Jazz

Cool Jazz is a subgenre of Jazz music that arose in the United States during the postwar era and became popular in the 1950s. It was characterized by relaxed tempos, an unhurried swing feel with groups playing as if they had all night to play, and a high degree of improvisation. Cool jazz typically employs brass instruments such as trumpets or trombones along with saxophones, pianos, guitars and basses.

Cool Jazz is the type of Jazz that you'll hear in any old-timey diner, and it's perfect for playing before dinner. It arose alongside Bebop - except the music is approached with more rationality and reserve: it's "cool." Keeping cool was important during the fifties--after all, they were dealing with shockwaves from World War II as well as adjusting to life after wartime rationing.

The music is all about the sound. High contrast in frequency and tempo between its different sections are what make it so crisp, clean and even more cool. Counterpoint is common too. Furthermore, this experimental music genre continues to push boundaries with autonomous notes that are often played in complex combinations. Jazz has always been a laid-back genre but never before with as many complex structures and patterns. And let's not forget the way they make it sound like classical music, which was also one of their biggest inspirations.

The perfect habitat for this smooth, calm type of Bebop is the laidback west coast of America. This relaxed region developed its own style and attitude of "cool" - West Coast Jazz was born in California during with such musicians as Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck and Chet Baker.

This genre of Jazz music experienced an early demise, but it's still the stereotypical background for sophisticated jazz bars where intellectuals hold philosophical conversations over drinks until 3 in the morning.