Jazz - why the love affair with E flat and B flat ?

[kahunabean]

Can anyone tell me why jazz players gravitate to E flat and B flat ? I know there are a load of exceptions but its generaaly true, right ?

[mad_for_it]

i'll let you in on a little secret. my great great grandfather was around in the revolution of jazz. he told me that a local man in chicago named louis pepper made a number of classic tracks in the key of E flat and B flat. The legend of pepper lives on.

[sft42]

because the like to annoy guitarists. These are the most awkward keys to play the guitar in but i think they suit horn players better and they tend to take a greater part in jazz combo's than guitar does in rock and pop. also playing in these keys as already noted does give a different sound compared to the standard three chord pop sound.

[davejazz]

It is acutally because it is an easier key for the Brass instruments (trumpet or trombone) and Reed instruments (clarinet and saxes) In the Jazz scene, Bb (b-flat) key is known as God's Key beause it is comfortable for all instruments in a normal 6 piece Jazz Band line up.