Black Genius, Jazz History, and the Challenge of Bebop

Interview with author Guy Ramsey, Jr.

Book review and interview of the book:

Black Genius, Jazz History, and the Challenge of Bebop
By Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr.
University of California Press

The life of Bud Powell put into a historical context.

* What was is like being a Bebop musician in the 1940s?
* What was it like being a true musical genius such as Bud Powell was?
* The friendship between Monk and Powell and the influence Monk had a Powell
* Powell’s training and aspirations as a classical musician
* How the European audiences responded to Powell and his music

Includes remarkable home movies from Powell’s life.