Bebop Quote by J. J. Johnson
“In those days before hearing Charlie Parker and Dizzy, and before learning of the so-called bebop era--by the way, I have some thoughts about that word, "bebop"--my first jazz hero ever, jazz improvisor hero, was Lester Young. I was a big "Lester Young-oholic," and all of my buddies were Lester Young-oholics. We'd get together and dissect, analyze, discuss, and listen to Lester Young's solos for hours and hours and hours. He was our god.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Jazz History Discussion, 1970s (radio)
The speaker praises Lester Young as a foundational influence in jazz, contrasting him with later bebop developments.
In simple terms: Lester Young was a major early jazz influence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the roots of musical styles.
Themes
music
influence
history
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- listening sessions
- music education
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
jazz evolution
personal idols
Questions to Reflect On
- How do early influences shape later artistic movements?
- What can modern musicians learn from Lester Young?
A Different Perspective
Later bebop may have shifted focus away from Young's style.
![“[Charlie Parker] was kind of a sponge and intrigued by it all.That's similar to what Phil [Woods] told me about Bird, too. Like he was into cooking. He was just into a lot of things. Yeah, it's about dealing with bebop and jazz and Trane [John Coltrain] and post-Trane and knowing the history. But…” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a35/jon-gordon-1655_art_charlie-parker-was-kind-of-a-sponge-and_2500883.jpg)
![“The amazing thing about Sweets [Edison] was that he exactly spoke the way that he played! He was really unique, the one and only. He was one of the greatest Blues players that I ever heard and played with. Nobody can play like Sweets man, nobody! Most of us, musicians, frequently quote Sweets'…” quote by Ray Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/83c/ray-brown-34220_amazing-things_the-amazing-thing-about-sweets-edison-wa_1297205.jpg)
![“I used to live at the Cecil Hotel, which was next door to Minton's [Playhouse]. We used to jam just about every night when we were off. Lester [Young], Don Byas and myself - we would meet there all the time and like, exchange ideas. It wasn't a battle, or anything. We were all friends. Most of the…” quote by Ben Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca1/ben-webster-48480_battle_i-used-to-live-at-the-cecil-hotel-which_1175916.jpg)
![“[Bebop is] Chinese music.” quote by Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/128/louis-armstrong-7258_bebop_bebop-is-chinese-music-155806_155806.jpg)
