fossumcarl

A mixture of factual biography and highly literate, poetic/prosaic study. Crouch has obviously studied Bird's life and career for a great deal of time. (this book was in various states of completion isnce the early 80's)He has his own opnions and states them firmly and resolutely. His descriptions of the creative process for Charlie Parker (and Jazz Musicians in general) is nothing short of magnificent. I have not seen a better one that does not involve multiple musical examples and require that the reader have some modicum of musical theory.

A magnificent melange of biography and artistic study. A must for anyone interested in Jazz or great american art.