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Jazz Visions

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PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK JUNE 2007

Lennie Tristano was one of jazz’s most extraordinary innovators, possessing a superb piano technique and an awesome musical imagination. Unheralded by the general public, the blind pianist’s work was revered by many jazz greats including the legendary Charlie Parker. Tristano’s persuasive personality made him an ideal teacher, and he proved that (against the accepted theory of the time) jazz improvisation could be taught. His guidance played a big part in the development of many instrumentalists including saxophonists Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh and double-bassist Peter Ind. It is Ind’s long, direct involvement with his subject that makes this such a revealing book: the story of an English musician going to New York to study with a neglected Jazz giant. In the process, Tristano's genius is examined and his reputation revalued, with Ind making a persuasive case for the pianist to be placed at the centre of jazz developments in the mid-20th century.

Published: Oct 1, 2005

Book Contributors

Series

Section Chapter Authors
Preface
Preface Peter Ind
Part I - Lennie: The Man and His Music
1. My Early Contact with Jazz – the Sounds of Lennie Tristano and of Charlie Parker (Bird) Peter Ind
2. My Early Experiences of New York Jazz Peter Ind
3. Living in New York – Working with Lennie in the Early Days Peter Ind
4. Other Inuences on Jazz Musicians and Artists During the Fifties Peter Ind
5. Lennie and the Changes in Jazz from the Fifties Peter Ind
6. Lennie’s Inuence and What Happened to His Associates from Those Fifties Days Peter Ind
7. A Reection on Lennie as I Knew Him – the Man and Musician Peter Ind
Part II - Lennie: A More Technical Consideration of Jazz Improvisation and His Legacy
8. What Do We Mean by Jazz? Peter Ind
9. Appreciating Jazz Improvisation Peter Ind
10. The Technical Base of Jazz and Lennie’s Approach Peter Ind
Part III - A Reconsideration of Lennie’s Legacy
11. Mythmaking About Lennie Peter Ind
12. Lennie Tristano and the Enigma of Non-recognition Peter Ind
13. Mythmaking and Prejudices in Jazz Peter Ind
14. Reappraisal Peter Ind
Bibliography
Bibliography Peter Ind
Index
Index Peter Ind
Select Discography
Select Discography Peter Ind

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Reviews

‘Jazz Visions is a remarkable book which presents a fascinating double portrait of the subject and the author.’

John Chilton, professional jazz trumpeter and writer on jazz


'This book is just what is needed to inform musicians, students, teachers, and historians around the world with an “up close and personal” view of the genius of jazz pianist/composer/teacher, Lennie Tristano. Bassist, Peter Ind describes vividly how exciting it was to be living in New York City as a creative musician. Peter’s writing skills throughout will also enlighten and entertain the novice and non musician as well. The best part for me, is that it was written by a great player who was there right in the thick of it all.
Rufus Reid, Jazz Bassist

'The Lennie Tristano story has needed telling for a long time. Who better than Peter Ind who knew Lennie and his music probably better than anyone.'
Ira Gitler, doyen of New York jazz critics

'Jazz Visions is a remarkable book about a remarkable musician.'
Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz

'Ind's book has a great feel to it. As one of his subject's steady bassists, he has personal insight into Tristano.'
Francis Lo Kee, AllAboutJazz.com

Peter’s book on Lennie may have been a long time in coming, but it was well worth waiting for and the Jazz World owes a significant debt of gratitude to him for writing it and to Equinox for underwriting its publication.
Jazz Profiles