Bebop and nothingness

Jazz has never been more popular than today...or more conservative. Davis, a leading authority in jazz scholars, attacks those who wish to return jazz to its roots, but who fail to continue to create new and vital music. He artfully conveys his listening experiences, venturing beyond the mainstream -- from the homeless free-jazz saxophonist Charles Gayle to the veteran swing coronet player Ruby Braff, from Sun Ra's outer-space extravaganzas to Don Byron's African-American klezmer music. Finally, Davis pursues the adventurous spirit of jazz into a broader musical territory, ranging from Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney to Michael Jackson and Prince. Provocative, thought-provoking reading for fans and foes alike!