Book description
Following on from Giant Steps, comes the second instalment in Kenny
Mathieson's series of jazz histories. Cookin' examines the birth and
development of two of the key jazz styles of the post-war era, hard bop
and its related offshoot, soul jazz. Hard bop was the most exciting jazz
style of its day, and remains at the core of the modern jazz mainstream
even now. It drew on the twin poles of bebop and the blues for its
foundation, spiced up with gospel, Latin and rhythm and blues
influences. The book looks at the founding fathers of the form, Art
Blakey and Horace Silver, and goes on to trace the music through its
peak decade. Music lovers will enjoy this very readable introduction
to the jazz masters of the post-War decades ... Free of music theory
jargon, the book gives detailed information on the artists' styles,
careers and often troubled lives.
