Barrett, a musicologist who has published several books in the areas of both classical music and jazz, and Bourgois, a professional trombonist, have collaborated to explore the life of J.J. Johnson, who revolutionized the playing of jazz and bebop trombone. Covering his life from childhood and education, including his classical roots, through his adult musical career playing with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, this book offers an illustration of Johnson's technical and stylistic development, as well as a thorough catalogue of his compositions, film scores, and discs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
In 1946, Dizzy Gillespie overheard J.J. Johnson using his trombone to make music that until then could only be played on other instruments. Gillespie liked what he heard and effectively invited Johnson into the inner circle of beboppers with the comment,"I've always known that the trombone could be played different, that somebody'd catch on one of these days. Man, you're elected." Playing with Gillespie and other jazz artists, Johnson adapted the trombone to the bebop language, achieving levels of accuracy, clarity, and speed that have never been surpassed. Johnson is known as the spiritual father of modern trombone, and as such is a notable figure in the history of jazz. His career has embodied virtually every innovation and development in jazz over the past half century.
In its exploration of the various turning points in Johnson's life, The Musical World of J.J. Johnson offers a provocative and comprehensive account of the making of a jazz legend. This innovative analysis details Johnson's childhood and early education, documents his first compositions, and examines his classical roots, creating a unique and powerful illustration of the composer's technical and stylistic development. In this first comprehensive biography, filmography, catalog of compositions, and discography of J.J. Johnson, Joshua Berrett and Louis G. Bourgois III fill a major gap in jazz studies.
