3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the Lost Empire of Cool — By James Kaplan

 “[Kaplan] writes like a dream . . . As an overview of musical magnificence, this book cannot be bettered.” — Jazz Journal “3 Shades of Blue is more than a biography; it is a compelling examination of artistry, identity and innovation. It is a heartfelt tribute to three musicians who defined the contours of modern jazz, meaningfully sprinkled with stories about those that came before and after them.”  — All About Jazz “Fascinating, detailed and comprehensive . . . Kaplan—who also penned the two-volume definitive look at the life of one Francis Albert Sinatra—goes into similar depth here . . . 3 Shades of Blue—like the best of music books—just sends you back to the source.”  — Houston Press “3 Shades of Blue is an instant classic, one that both jazz fanatics and casual fans will love.  James Kaplan sweeps us into the dazzling world of Swing Street after World War II, a scene as mythical and magical as Pablo Picasso’s Paris, Timothy Leary’s San Francisco, or Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Conc