To Be or Not to Bop

About the channel

To Be or Not to Bop is a jazz listening channel rooted in curiosity, history, and deep love for the music. This is a space where we explore bebop, hard bop, and the many branches of jazz connected to the African diaspora—through records that shaped the music, records that deserve more attention, and artists whose contributions often go under-recognized. Each episode is part listening session, part conversation. I talk about the music, the musicians, the recording dates, the stories behind the records, and why these albums still matter today. Sometimes we focus on a single track, sometimes a whole album—but always with intention. I’m not here to be definitive. I’m here to listen, share, and discover—and to invite you into that process with me. If you love records, liner notes, deep grooves, and musical history—or if you’re just getting into jazz and want a place to start—this channel is for you. This is my beginning in the YouTube world. Thanks for being here.