I Walked With Giants: The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath
Brian Gilmore reviews the autobiography of saxophonist Jimmy Heath, a true survivor.
Brian Gilmore
The Blue Moment: Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue and the Remaking of Modern Music by Richard Williams
In Richard Williams’ The Blue Moment: Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and the Remaking of Modern Music, Williams accomplishes two very difficulty things. First, he … Read More “The Blue Moment: Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue and the Remaking of Modern Music by Richard Williams”
Ralph Carney: Serious Jass Project
As far as I am concerned, saxophonist, Ralph Carney has three things going to him no matter what. First, he has played extensively with Tom … Read More “Ralph Carney: Serious Jass Project”
Varistar: Varistar
Three men. Three instruments. Cornet, Tuba, Guitar. It would seem these instruments do not even go together. However, Varistar, a trio, is ambitious and courageous … Read More “Varistar: Varistar”
Courtney Pine: Transition in Tradition (En hommage a Sidney Bechet)
England’s Courtney Pine is always trying the music. Years ago, when he took a chance and dipped heavily into dance hall beats on his Closer … Read More “Courtney Pine: Transition in Tradition (En hommage a Sidney Bechet)”
Kobie Watkins: Involved
Drummers as leaders often have a difficult time putting their imprint on recordings. Chico Hamilton, the L.A. legend and giant, is the model for today’s … Read More “Kobie Watkins: Involved”
Last Call at the Tin Palace by Paul Pines
As is the case with poetry with connections to jazz (music), the possibilities, as the cliché goes, are endless. Yet, it is true; poetry is … Read More “Last Call at the Tin Palace by Paul Pines”
The Jazz Fiction Anthology by Sascha Feinstein & David Rife
Brian Gilmore reviews recent anthology of fiction dedicated to jazz.
Race, Music, and National Identity: Images of Jazz in American Fiction 1920-1960 by Paul McCann
Paul McCann is a scholar, and a Literature scholar at that who does not necessarily come to music naturally in his work. But McCann knows … Read More “Race, Music, and National Identity: Images of Jazz in American Fiction 1920-1960 by Paul McCann”
The Life and Music of Benny More: Wildman of Rhythm by John Radanovich
Until many read John Radanovich’s biography of Benny More, the late Cuban superstar, they will begin to understand the importance of African strains to jazz … Read More “The Life and Music of Benny More: Wildman of Rhythm by John Radanovich”
Highbrow/Lowbrow: Theater, Jazz, and the Making of the New Middle Class by David Savran
Of all the sections in Highbrow/Lowbrow:Theater, Jazz, and the Making of the New Middle Class, the section that discusses the legendary American composer George Gershwin … Read More “Highbrow/Lowbrow: Theater, Jazz, and the Making of the New Middle Class by David Savran”
Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and Blues Influences in African-American Literature and Film by Graham Lock and David Murray
Two anthologies look at the relationship between jazz and the arts
Freedom Sounds: Civil Rights Call Out to Jazz and Africa by Ingrid Monson
Book examines relationship between jazz and the Civil Rights movement in the ’60s
Ellington Uptown: Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson and the Birth of Concert Jazz by John Howland
Anyone who has studied or read about the compositional output of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington always wondered how Ellington became so prolific in writing long … Read More “Ellington Uptown: Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson and the Birth of Concert Jazz by John Howland”
Stompin’ at the Grand Terrace by Phillip S. Bryant
Poetry collections about jazz, or in the jazz idiom are abundant and almost always special. (Full disclosure: your author published one in 2001, so I … Read More “Stompin’ at the Grand Terrace by Phillip S. Bryant”
Subway Moon by Roy Nathanson
Subway Moon, saxophonist’s Roy Nathanson’s very engaging collection of poetry, begins in German. You will be taken a back by it at first if you … Read More “Subway Moon by Roy Nathanson”
Stanley Clarke: Standards
Last year when bassist Stanley Clarke hit the road with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and banjo player Bela Fleck, it was another moment when you had … Read More “Stanley Clarke: Standards”
The Caribbean Jazz Project: Mosaic
The Caribbean Jazz Project has carved out its self-explanatory niche since vibraphonist Dave Samuels founded the group in 1993. Mosaic, the band’s latest release, is … Read More “The Caribbean Jazz Project: Mosaic”
Herbie Hancock: The Essential Herbie Hancock
No other artist in the last 45 years of jazz has remained on the cutting edge of the music like pianist and keyboardist Herbie Hancock: … Read More “Herbie Hancock: The Essential Herbie Hancock”
Dvorák to Duke Ellington: A Conductor Explores America’s Music and Its African-American Roots by Maurice Peress
There is a subtle theme running throughout classical conductor Maurice Peress’ new book: Did legendary Czech composer Antonin Dvorák’s brief visit to America at the … Read More “Dvorák to Duke Ellington: A Conductor Explores America’s Music and Its African-American Roots by Maurice Peress”