hard bop

American  

noun

1. an aggressive, driving, hot style of modern jazz developed by East Coast musicians in the late 1950s as a rejection of the more relaxed, cool style of West Coast jazz.

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hard bop British  

noun

1. a form of jazz originating in the late 1950s that is rhythmically less complex than bop

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Compare meaning

How does hard-bop compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hard bop vs. bebop

Example Sentences

He adds a funky countermelody, reminiscent of Horace Silver or Lee Morgan, and remakes “Billy Joe” into a remarkable slice of hard bop, a 12-minute roller-coaster ride.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Heath, who was known as Tootie, was primarily a bebop and hard bop drummer but was adept in a range of styles.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

This performance situates her squarely in the sonic genealogy of the East Coast hard bop aesthetic.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2023

These are the artists whose aggressive improvisation, rhythmic thrust and fiery soloing put hard bop on the map.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2022

But as Mr. Martino recorded his first dozen albums, veering from hard bop into soul, blues and Eastern music, he also began experiencing mysterious headaches and seizures.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2021