The Jazz of Physics

Theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and jazz musician Alexander (physics, Brown Univ.) melds the seemingly incongruent fields of physics and jazz in this dynamic exploration of how jazz can help with understanding astrophysics. Polymath Alexander's passion for both fields influenced his ultimate sensing of connections between theoretical astrophysics and the endless creativity of improvisational jazz. The author shares his knowledge of the Pythagorean concept of the music of the spheres, Albert Einstein's love of music, and John Coltrane's love of Einstein to make conceptual links between the two areas, and he reveals his own unique, dynamic ideas as both a theoretical physicist and a jazz saxophonist. Alexander's lofty aim is to understand physics by showing how musical sound and theory can reveal insights into quantum theory. Also explored are the links between music and physics explored by Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and rapper Rakim's ingenious improvisations and polyrhythmic cadence. His concepts revealed that the fundamental waves that make up sound are the same as the waves that make up energy, thus forming the core of this exciting analogy. Unfortunately, examples from the cutting-edge jazz recordings referenced are not included on the audio version.