Helene LaFaro-Hernandez
Jade Visions: The Life And Music of Scott LaFaro
University of North Texas Press
By George W. Harris

Back in the late 50s and early 60s, Scott LaFaro was considered THE
jazz bassist. His recordings with the Bill Evans Trio changed the way
the bass was used in instrumental interplay; his harmonic approached
freed up Bill Evans to do explorations on his piano that he nor any
other pianist had been able to do before, taking the piano trio to a
completely new and higher plane of musicality.

This engaging and humble biography by Scott’s sister gives an
unpretentious and intimate look into the upbringing and drive of the
influential bassist, starting from his childhood and going all through
the various aspects of his all-too-short career. Even the most diehard
LaFaro fan will learn something new about the iconic bassist, and the
discography at the end of the book is worth its weight in gold. An
accompanying disc of LaFaro’s work is also available through
www.resonancerecords.org. An important sidebar to the history of jazz.