On The Bookshelf
WHAT JAZZ IS | JONNY KING
Drawing on the unique insight of a seasoned jazz pianist, What Jazz Is offers an illuminating journey into the heartbeat of America’s original art form. With clarity and passion, Jonny King breaks down the essential building blocks of jazz, tempo, harmony, and melody, demystifying the role each instrument plays in creating the genre’s unmistakable sound.
Through the eyes and ears of a performer, he reveals the hidden structure behind improvisation, showing that what often sounds spontaneous is guided by a deep internal logic and shared musical language. Far from abstract theory, his explanations come to life through vivid examples and personal reflections.
King pays tribute to the giants who shaped jazz, Art Blakey’s explosive rhythms, John Coltrane’s spiritual intensity, Thelonious Monk’s angular genius, while also spotlighting the brilliance of modern innovators like Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, and Joshua Redman.
Part guide, part homage, What Jazz Is invites readers to hear jazz not just as music, but as a conversation—one that’s rich with history, soul, and ever-evolving creativity.
