On The Bookshelf
88: The Giants Of Jazz Piano
Ever wondered what made the piano gods of jazz so extraordinary? This captivating hardcover opens the door to 88 legendary artists who didn’t just play the piano—they transformed it into an instrument of revolution, soul, and pure genius.
Get ready to discover the fascinating stories behind the music. Each profile reveals not just what these pianists played, but who they were—their quirks, their breakthroughs, and the unmistakable fingerprints they left on jazz history.
The book takes you on an intimate journey with seven towering figures: Jelly Roll Morton, Earl Hines, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Keith Jarrett, and Cecil Taylor. But that’s just the beginning. You’ll also meet Mary Lou Williams, James P. Johnson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nat “King” Cole, Dorothy Donegan, Oscar Peterson, Les McCann, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Billy Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Geri Allen, and 67 more innovators who pushed boundaries across every style imaginable—from stride’s joyful bounce to swing’s sophistication, bebop’s lightning-fast complexity to the fearless explorations of the avant garde.
At 344 pages packed with 100 stunning photos, plus a bonus CD featuring 11 essential jazz tracks, this is more than a book—it’s an experience. And with a foreword by Keith Jarrett himself, you know you’re in for something special.
Whether you’re a devoted jazz lover or just beginning your journey into this incredible art form, these stories will inspire, surprise, and maybe even change how you hear music.
88: The Giants Of Jazz Piano | Robert L. Doerschuk | Backbeat Books, 2001
