Hip
- Places of Publication: McLean, VA & Milwaukee, WI
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1962-1971
- Periodicity: Generally monthly
- Editors: Bob Gruel & Ed Steane
- Publishers: Bob Gruel, Edwin A. Steane
- Lacunae: Vol. 1 nos. 1-3; Vol. 1 no. 6; New Series Volume 6 no. 3. Copies of these issues could not be located.
- Numeration Irregularities: Vols. 6-15 are numbered as New Series Vols. 1-10.
- Subtitles: The Milwaukee Jazz Letter; 1962-Dec. 1966; The Jazz Record Digest; Mar. 1967-Dec. 1971
- Type: Full Text
- Continued by: Jazz Digest
Hip was a newsletter published and edited by Bob Gruel in its first series (1962 to January 1967) and Ed Steane in a new series (March 1967 to December 1971) before becoming retitled as Jazz Digest. With a focus on record collecting and reviews, Hip grew substantially over its run from a very humble beginning.
Bob Gruel was a jazz fan in Milwaukee who sought to provide information on jazz activities in the Milwaukee and greater Wisconsin area during a time of cultural growth and diversification. Gruel focused on local concerts and musicians, along with substantial numbers of record reviews, mostly of new releases of progressive jazz and affordable recordings. Dave Waid wrote on the blues and blues recordings.
The new series, published and edited by Steane in McLean, Virginia, continued Gruel’s focus with substantially more content (16 to 20 pages versus 6), mostly reviews of recordings new and old alike. The new series saw a larger number of contributors, including Bob Porter, Bob Rusch, Dennis Hendley, Bill Korst, in addition to letters from correspondents in various cities. Of note is Steane’s 1971 interview with Herbie Hancock, serialized across issues.
After publishing nearly 2000 record reviews, Hip ceased publication but immediately resumed as Jazz Digest. Steane noted that rising costs and the challenge of timely record reviews necessitated the change.