''The mind is like a parachute -- it only functions when it's open."
— Duncan, Amy
Scholar and teacher of jazz history, Jon's name is a household word among jazz musicians and fans, who love him for the remarkable breakthrough he made in the 1950s, writing lyrics to famous jazz tunes and their improvised solos.
Not only did he accomplish the difficult task of fitting words into complex jazz improvisations, but what he came up with were not just any old words -- they invariably tell a real-life story, or deliver a truthful message: "The mind is like a parachute -- it only functions when it's open," or "Everybody knows, the more you hesitate the more you lose -- if you sit still and fail to move you're gonna dig yourself a well-intentioned rut, and think you've found a groove."
Hendricks, the ninth child and seventh son of a preacher and his wife, grew up with church music. While still a boy he became a professional singer, earning money singing secular music to help support the family during the depression. As early as age seven or eight he was interested in the words of the songs he sang.
(p. 19)
