Jazz fans, warm up those improvisational minds—today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a backstage pass to the golden era of swing and bebop. With legendary nicknames echoing through the grid, you’ll feel the rhythm as soon as the title “Kings of Swing & Bebop” lets you in. If you’ve got notes about your own jazz playlist, you’re fully equipped for this puzzle.
Today’s Theme: “Kings of Swing & Bebop”
Today’s NYT Strands (#523) spotlights jazz greats—those whose nicknames became legends themselves. Once you recognize those musical monikers, the puzzle’s smooth groove becomes clear.
Spangram of the Day: JAZZ CATS
The 8-letter spangram JAZZ CATS zigzags vertically across the middle of the grid—an instant signal of the theme.
All Theme Words Revealed (7)
Here are the star-studded nicknames hidden in today’s puzzle:
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DUKE
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COUNT
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HAWK
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DIZZY
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CANNONBALL
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YARDBIRD
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FATS
Yesterday’s Recap — Puzzle #522 (August 7)
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Theme: Rock Solid
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Spangram: HOLDFAST
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Words: FIRM, STEADY, DEVOTED, SOUND, CONSTANT, UNWAVERING
Pro Tips for Solving Faster
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Think legend nicknames—as soon as you see DUKE or DIZZY, buzz into jazz mode.
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Jump on the spangram—JAZZ CATS appears early; it forms the anchor.
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Use clue words—try ‘SAFE’, ‘FATE’, or ‘WARD’ to unlock hint tokens.
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Visualize jazz icons—imagine Ellington, Gillespie, and Parker walking into the grid—that mental cue helps.
Popular NYT Strands FAQs
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| What is NYT Strands? | A daily puzzle by NYT with a themed word grid and one edge-spanning spangram. |
| What’s a spangram? | A key theme word or phrase that connects two opposite edges—today, JAZZ CATS. |
| How do hints work? | Type three valid non-theme words to get help locating theme words. |
| Are past puzzles available? | No—each is unique and playable only on the date released. |
| Any beginner strategy? | Think of long theme-related words, find the spangram early, then use hints as needed. |
| Date | Puzzle # | Theme | Spangram | Theme Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 8, 2025 | 523 | Kings of Swing & Bebop | JAZZ CATS | Duke, Count, Hawk, Dizzy, Cannonball, Yardbird, Fats |
| August 7, 2025 | 522 | Rock Solid | HOLDFAST | Firm, Steady, Devoted, Sound, Constant, Unwavering |
NYT Strands #523 turns the dial up on jazz nostalgia, letting you stroll through the ages of swing and bebop via iconic nicknames. With JAZZ CATS leading the charge, solving the rest becomes a smooth jam session. Whether you knew your Cannonball from your Yardbird or not, this puzzle hits all the right notes.
