Too often, we think of rock 'n' roll as a jazz killer. It wasn't. The music appealed to a growing number of adolescents and teens who had greater access to the dance music in the 1950s thanks to radio, 45 singles and concerts. It simply grew from there as jazz focused on a more mature demographic. But in the mid-1950s, when rock 'n' roll was still in its infancy and retained its R&B influence, jazz bands were part of the movement. For example, on Alan Freed's Camel Rock & Roll Dance Party in 1956, Count Basie was the band that opened the show and played throughout. Other jazz-influenced stars appeared on the Freed-hosted show, such as singer Tony Bennett. [Photo above of Alan Freed and Tony Bennett during a Camel Rock & Roll Dance Party broadcast in 1956]
To prove my point, go here to listen for free to 26 entire episodes of Freed's Camel Rock & Roll Dance Party shows. Just click on an episode on the right side and it will start. Each one opens with Basie's New Testament band tearing the paint off the walls. A special thanks to Bob Waldman for sending this jazz-rock repository along.
And yes, it's pretty weird that Camel cigarettes were being promoted to kids on the radio.
