The Shape of Jazz To Come: Music of the 1950s

In this program, we’ll explore the 1950s through its music. We’ll hear and hear about gospel and the extraordinary Sam Cooke; cool jazz, hard bop, and the genius of Miles Davis; and the revolutionary freedom of Ornette Coleman. We’ll also discover why the most influential figure in the birth of rock ’n’ roll wasn’t a musician at all, but a record producer. Along the way, we’ll connect these sounds to the major social and historical events that shaped the United States in the 1950s. And yes—we’ll talk about Elvis’s hips.
This event is free and open to the public. For questions or directions to the library, call 207-865-3307 or visit freeportlibrary.com/