Giant Steps: Bebop And The Creators Of Modern Jazz, 1945-65
Kenny Mathieson
Available as Paperback
An examination of the most important figures in the creation of modern jazz
Giant Steps examines the most important figures in the creation of modern jazz, detailing the emergence of bebop through the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Using this as its starting point, Giant Steps subsequently delves into the developments of jazz composition, modal jazz and free jazz. The music of each of these great masters is examined in detail and will provide both a fine introduction for the large audience newly attracted to the music but unsure of their direction through it, as well as an entertaining and informative read for those with a more substantial background.
Kenny Mathieson
Kenny Mathieson is the author of Giant Steps: Bebop and the Creators of Modern Jazz 1945-1965 and Cookin’: Hard Bop and Soul Jazz 1954-65. He was born near Glasgow, and now lives in the Highlands of Scotland. He studied American and English literature at the University of East Anglia, graduating with a PhD in 1983. He has been a freelance writer since 1982, and writes on jazz, classical and folk music for several publications, as well as contributing to numerous reference books.