Hard bop, a jazz subgenre, emerged in the late 1950s as a fusion of bebop and blues, soul, and gospel music. Characterized by its use of complex harmonies, modal interchange, and extended chord progressions, hard bop emphasized melodic simplicity and a strong rhythmic pulse, often with a walking bass line and syncopated drumming. With its roots in African-American urban culture, hard bop reflected the era's social and cultural upheaval, blending intellectualism with emotional intensity. During its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, hard bop became a defining sound of modern jazz, bridging the gap between cool jazz and the avant-garde. Notable for its fusion of jazz with R&B and gospel, hard bop showcased virtuosic soloing, rich horn textures, and a distinctive blend of tension and release, setting it apart from earlier bebop and later free jazz movements.
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