The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe

A spectacular musical and scientific journey from the Bronx to the cosmic horizon that reveals the astonishing links between jazz, science, Einstein, and Coltrane

More than fifty years ago, John Coltrane drew the twelve musical notes in a circle and connected them by straight lines, forming a five-pointed star. Inspired by Einstein, Coltrane put physics and geometry at the core of his music.

Physicist and jazz musician Stephon Alexander follows suit, using jazz to answer physics' most vexing questions about the past and future of the universe. Following the great minds that first drew the links between music and physics-a list including Pythagoras, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, and Rakim -- The Jazz of Physics reveals that the ancient poetic idea of the "Music of the Spheres," taken seriously, clarifies confounding issues in physics.

The Jazz of Physics will fascinate and inspire anyone interested in the mysteries of our universe, music, and life itself.

Author: Stephon Alexander
Publisher: Basic Books
Published: 12/05/2017
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.52lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9780465093571
ISBN10: 0465093574
BISAC Categories:
- Young Adult Nonfiction | People & Places | United States | African American & Black
- Young Adult Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Science & Technology
- Young Adult Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Astronomy

About the Author
Stephon Alexander is a professor of physics at Brown University and the winner of the 2013 American Physical Society Edward A. Bouchet Award. He is also a jazz musician and released his first electronic jazz album with Erin Rioux. The author of The Jazz of Physics, Alexander lives in Providence, Rhode Island.