Two other really good books to get are:
1) Bert Ligons Book on "Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony".
This is the only book I've seen which correctly explains how
chromaticism in jazz works (it works the same way as in classical
music BTW). This is the whole point of jazz lines from the time of
Charlie Parker until John Coltrane. This is a weakness in Mark's
books which don't explain chromaticism at all really except to
mention the Bebop Dominant "lick" which is just one "lick" out of
millions and does not a coherent theory make. Mark focusses in terms
of improvising more on the Coltrane influenced players which take
a more chord scale approach, and in particular use alot of melodic
minor harmony when improvising.
2) Dan Haerles "The Jazz Langauge".
reed
Reed Kotler
reed@justjazz.com
http://www.justjazz.com