The Lineage of Modern Jazz Piano
History and profiles of the ten most influential jazz pianists
of the past 100 years as told by Richie Beirach
All told in a 60-page expanded pocketbook edition
"Richie is one of the great explainers of difficult concepts that can be
understood both in academia and on the street." - Dave Liebman
This newly expanded edition includes Richie's analysis of Bill Evans' improvised introductions to Nardis
Excerpt from the book: Now, you might ask if the content of this intro was really that different in terms of harmonic vocabulary. Yes! These were much more contemporary harmonic and melodic ideas than he would normally use in the context of playing his tunes with the bass and drums.
Bill studied and played the great music of the 20th century composers like Scriabin, Prokofieff, Ravel, and Berg. He also loved and played Rachmaninoff.
"Bill was a combination of Bud Powell with a little lighter touch and the beautiful voicings of George Shearing. And of course, he was also influenced by Ravel and Debussy, Scriabin, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff, especially in his ballads. - Richie
Discover within
Lineage of Modern Jazz Piano...
AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW EACH JAZZ GREAT LEAD TO THE NEXT
Very few of even the greatest music masters develop a style in isolation from what came before. Learn the aspects of each of these players that influence future greats.
HOW JAZZ PIANO EVOLVED OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS
The jazz played by Art Tatum was very different from the jazz of Bud Powell, who was very different from McCoy. Explore how not just piano, but jazz harmony and improvisation evolved through these 10 masters.
SOME OF THESE MASTERS' DISTINCTIVE VOICINGS
For Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and Bud Powell, see an example of a harmony or voicing that distinguished them.
RICHIE'S CHARACTERISTIC OPINIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Having personally known several of these great players, Richie delivers a perspective unlike any you will read elsewhere. His analysis is direct, incisive, and unapologetic.
THIER MOST IMPORTANT RECORDINGS
At the end of each chapter, see the three most important albums chosen by Richie for that particular pianist.
