What Jazz Is by Jonny King

[GA Russell]

I have just finished reading a 1997 book by New York pianist Jonny King called What Jazz Is.

I've never heard of King. He says that he is also an attorney, and I wonder if he has given up music to take up the practice of law. Anybody know?

This is a book for people who like what little jazz they have heard, but know nothing about it. He explains some pretty fundamental concepts.

The book comes with a ten-song Blue Note sampler of recordings from the 50s and 60s. Each of the songs is given a three page analysis, for example going over what the rhythm section is doing while each soloist takes his turn.

The ten songs are:

Hank Mobley - Remember

Sonny Clark - Speak Low

Art Blakey - Blues

Chick Corea - Matrix

Wayne Shorter - Miyako

Sonny Rollins - Reflections

McCoy tyner - African Village

Lee Morgan - Ca-Lee-So

Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage

Ornette Coleman - Round Trip

I see that Amazon resellers have used copies starting at 99 cents. I have to wonder if they have the CD at that price. Be sure to use the Organissimo link!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/080...8003&sr=1-1

[marcello]

I know Jonny King a little. He's given me some copyright law advise.

The last time I heard him was at a late night set at Dizzy's last year. He's a fine pianist and composer.

He told me he went to harvard in the same class as Barack Obama.

[Dan Gould]

I remember reading this book when it was new (well, reading the sections on the tunes I particularly like while standing around at a Barnes & Noble in Tallahassee), and that at the time Jonny King had a couple of CDs out. I recall enjoying the book a little more than the CDs.

[jlhoots]

Jonny King: Notes From The Underground (Joshua Redman, Steve Nelson, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond)

Enja 9067-2

Recorded 1995.

Liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

Not a bad CD IMHO.

I wondered what had happened to him.

[tonym]

I've got this sat on my shelf and read it when it was first released (without the CD). I thought then, and still do, that it's a brilliant intro to the world of hard bop and jazz in general. I'm not sure about this but I don't think many books actually take the time to break down what is actually happening in a tune and what the players are doing with the melody/harmony. Of course this applies to all jazz, no just hard bop, but given the infectious nature of the Blue Note idiom King made a great decision in analysing those particular tunes.