Bebop & Beyond

Bebop & Beyond is a repertory ensemble devoted to interpreting works from the modern jazz canon and one of the few working jazz bands that is also a not-for-profit corporation (Benny Carter, Jimmy Heath, and Orrin Keepnews sit on its board of advisors). Founded and led by San Francisco-based tenor saxophonist Mel Martin, the band has, since its inception, concentrated on updates of classic bebop tunes by Charlie Parker, Tadd Dameron, and Charles Mingus. Their record Bebop & Beyond Plays Dizzy Gillespie was the trumpet innovator's final studio date. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide