It's a Hardbop Life
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It's a Hardbop Life is believed to be[weasel words] the first play to feature an entire cast of jazz musicians. The play, which was written by trombonist Gregory Charles Royal, was developed from Royal's weekly engagement at Birdland in New York City called The Art Blakey Jazz Messenger Review during 2001.
The play debuted Off-Broadway at the Producer's Club as a Special Event of the New York JVC Jazz Festival in July, 2004 and included as part of the cast, Art Blakey saxophonist Billy Harper; Jackie McLean trumpeter Chris Albert; Duke Ellington Orchestra trombonist and author, Gregory Charles Royal; Elvin Jones bassist Andy McCloud; Sugar Hill Quartet pianist Marcus Persiani; and Ain't Misbehavin' drummer Ken Crutchfield. The play was later produced on DVD and soundtrack by the American Youth Symphony in 2005.
Although there was a play entitled the Connection by Jack Gelber, which starred alto saxophonist Jackie McClean and ran Off-Broadway in 1959, that play, which was revolutionary, did not feature an entire cast of musicians as the principal actors.
