This is Bop: Jon Hendricks and the Art of Vocal Jazz

Jon Hendricks was a pioneering jazz singer who was a member of the vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. He was a hipster, bopster, comic, raconteur, wordsmith, and fearless improviser who changed the public perception of what a jazz singer could be. He was taught by Art Tatum and performed with everyone from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker. Hendricks wrote lyrics for jazz instrumentals, classical works, and influenced and worked with Manhattan Transfer, Bobby McFerrin, and Kurt Elling. He left behind a final masterwork, his fully-lyricized adaptation of the Miles Davis album Miles Ahead.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

Jon Hendricks, a true icon of modern jazz, is undeniably the epitome of the genre. His immense contributions to jazz are nothing short of colossal, encompassing various roles such as a hipster, a bopster, a comic and raconteur, a wordsmith of exceptional talent, and a fearless improviser who pushed the boundaries of scatting and vocalese to unprecedented heights. Hendricks' journey in the world of music began at a young age, as he started singing professionally at the tender age of seven. Within just five years, his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft had enabled him to support his entire family, consisting of three sisters, eleven brothers, and a niece, solely through his earnings from radio appearances. His unwavering passion for jazz extended far before the emergence of bebop, and he continued to perform until his nineties. Hendricks was fortunate to receive mentorship from the pioneering bebop pianist Art Tatum, who played a pivotal role in shaping his musical journey. Throughout his career, Hendricks had the privilege of performing alongside some of the most influential jazz musicians of all time, including Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. Before the groundbreaking album "Sing a Song of Basie" by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, Hendricks was already making his mark in the jazz world by writing songs for Louis Jordan. His songwriting skills extended beyond jazz, as he also crafted pieces for stage, screen, and the press. Hendricks' influence extended beyond his musical contributions, as he worked closely with artists such as Manhattan Transfer, Bobby McFerrin, and Kurt Elling. He was not content with simply writing lyrics for jazz instrumentals, as he later ventured into classical compositions by renowned composers like Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninoff. When Jon Hendricks passed away in 2017, he left behind a final masterpiece that showcased his unparalleled talent and dedication. This masterpiece was his fully-lyricized adaptation of the Miles Davis album "Miles Ahead," a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of music.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781798744