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Bud Powell

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Bud Powell translated the bebop of Charlie Parker to the piano. He grew up in Harlem and admired the technique of Art Tatum. Thelonious Monk took him under his wing as a young pianist at Minton's. With his right hand Powell played long, fast lines like a saxophonist, while the left hand strikes short chords at uneven moments. That way of playing became the model for almost all modern jazz pianists. He wrote pieces such as Un Poco Loco and Tempus Fugue-It. After a brutal beating by the police in 1945 he had mental health problems all his life. From 1959 to 1964 he lived in Paris. He died in New York in 1966.

Listening

Listening tip. Hear the right hand playing like a saxophone, and the short stabs of the left hand.

Discography

Studio albums

Other work

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: ArtistsBebop