Musical history and philosophical inquiry are merged in a serious new book by piano-playing professor Joel Rudinow.

A big piece of the intertwining of the blues and gospel music can be traced to a single influential individual, Joel Rudinow writes in Soul Music, an early pioneer in both styles named Thomas Dorsey.

But the reintroduction of rhythmic intensity to the music of the church, as led by Dorsey and others, had to overcome some deep-seated resistance.

The mathematics of sound production were studied intensively by the ancient Pythagoreans, Rudinow recounts, and they sought to extend that study to understand the varied emotional effects that different sorts of music can elicit.

Joel Rudinow will read from Soul Music, Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 pm art Readers’ Books in Sonoma Live music from the Root Doctors is also part of the event.

That's Rudionow behind the keyboard, sitting in with rock and roll pioneer "Bo Diddly. You can hear recordings of some of Dr. Joel's own music on his website.