A Comparative Study of Selected Jazz Piano Solos from Three Pre-Bebop, Bebop, Post-Bop Pianists: Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn Jr., And Herbie Hancock

Abstract

Improvisation is a major component of jazz music, and understanding its history and styles gives a more solid foundation and many options for creative direction to the jazz improvisor. This knowledge informs the depth and versatility of one’s improvisational language. This scholarly essay with accompanying lecture recitals hopes to equip jazz pianists and other interested readers with a new perspective on jazz piano improvisation through analysis of selected solos by a representative major jazz pianist from each of three eras (pre-bebop, bebop, and post-bebop). Pianists Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn Jr., and Herbie Hancock will be discussed in this essay. These three pianists were chosen for their distinctive artistic voices that highlight the improvisational conventions of their respective eras and the stylistic influences of other prominent figures within those periods. While there are many highly influential and esteemed jazz pianists, this selection proves fruitful for the purposes of this essay