Lee Morgan

Tom Perchard was born in 1976. He received his doctorate from the University of London, and he teaches at Goldsmiths College and the University of Westminster. He is a regular contributor to The Wire magazine. This is his first book.

• 1. Introduction: Black Philadelphia2. Music and opportunity in Tioga3. Learning and teaching, formal and informal4. Performance, competition and status in the 'cool world'5. The break6. Quick progress7. Under Art Blakey's influence8. Life in the bebop business and the soul jazz style9. Blues truth, sound and identity10, Interlude: jazz criticism and race politics in the early-1960s11. Symbolism, signification and The Sidewinder12. Decline and ascent13. Modes, changes and 'The Beatles'14. Drug15. Organisation and protest16. Black culture between the national and the universal17. Teaching tradition and change18. Conclusion: East 3rd Street

'Perchard's descriptions of Morgan's playing are both technically astute and accessible, but the real strength of this book lies in its awareness of contexts. He has spoken to an impressive number of people who knew Morgan or shared his background. The whole trajectory [of Morgan's life] ... is handled with impressive confidence. It's cliched praise, but my first act on finishing the book was to dig out a slew of old Blue Notes.'Brian Morton, The Wire'Through a wealth of research and incisive anecdote from his band members and close associates, Morgan emerges as an intriguing, multi-layered figure. [A] very accomplished biography...'Kevin Le Gendre, The Independent on Sunday'...an excellent musical biography' Mike Hobart, FT Magazine'The publication that best filled a gap this year'Sholto Byrnes, Independent on Sunday