It's a Hardbop Life

It's a Hardbop Life is the first Off-Broadway play to feature an entire cast of jazz musicians.[1] 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.[2]

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. Royal actually proferred the title of the theater to the owners during that festival.

Although there was a play entitled the Connection by Jack Gelber, which starred alto saxophonist Jackie McLean and ran Off-Broadway in 1959, that play, which was revolutionary, did not feature an entire cast of musicians as the principal actors.

It's a Hardbop Life, which has undergone a few revisions, is currently running at the Producers Club in New York City (beginning February, 2011) as a Thursday night open engagement and stars Gregory Charles Royal in the role of Q. and Jolynn Carpenter, who is the model for the current Marvel Comics Spider Woman, in the role of Julie.

References

  1. ↑ Mergner, Lee (June 2, 2010). "Gregory Charles Royal's Hardbop Life: Veteran trombonist stages production of jazz musical "It's a Hardbop Life" in Washington, DC". Jazz Times.
  2. ↑ http://www.ny.com/clubs/jazz/

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