California Cool: The West Coast Jazz Scene of the 1950s

During the 1950s, the eyes of the jazz world became focused on Los Angeles as "West Coast jazz" exploded onto the scene. Shorty Rogers left the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1951 and recorded Modern Sounds, which helped establish the sound and style reflective of West Coast cool. Howard Rumsey established a jazz policy at a small nightclub in Hermosa Beach called The Lighthouse and formed The Lighthouse All Stars. At the end of 1951, Gerry Mulligan hitchhiked from New York to Los Angeles, eventually forming his own quartet. The quartet, which featured Chet Baker, was such a hit that it brought national attention to the West Coast and opened the door for an unprecedented amount of activity for the West Coast musicians. This course discusses artists such as Shorty Rogers, Gerry Mulligan, The Lighthouse All Stars, Art Pepper, Shelly Manne, June Christy, Hampton Hawes, Jack Sheldon, Jimmy Giuffre, Chico Hamilton, Buddy Collette, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins, Conte Candoli, Dexter Gordon, Marty Paich, Dave Pell, Frank Rosolino, and Bud Shank, through rare recordings, film footage, photographs, and memorabilia drawn from the vast archive of the Los Angeles Jazz Institute. This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.