Ira Gitler is one of those transcendental figures in the history of music. He grew up with Dizzy and Charlie Parker and was writing linear notes for Bob Weinstock's fledgling record label - Prestige Records. He also co-authored The Encyclopedia of Jazz with Leonard Feather. His devotion to the music and the soul's of the musicians always outweighed his own art and this selfless promotion of information ingratiated himself to the jazz community and has made him a massive contributor to a true American art form.