Finding A Voice for Black Jazz
The following is an excerpt from Willard Jenkins’ latest book, Ain’t But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story, which was released … Read More “Finding A Voice for Black Jazz”
Books
The latest words on jazz, evaluated by critics who understand the power of jazz writing.
Nabil Ayers: My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family (Viking)
Nabil Ayers didn’t need to write a memoir about what rarely existed between him and his biological father, composer/vibraphonist Roy Ayers, to connect with making … Read More “Nabil Ayers: My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family (Viking)”
Jason Miles: The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles (Book Writing Cube)
Brooklyn-born keyboardist/producer Jason Miles has charted an impressive recording career that includes credits with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, and David Sanborn. And it’s all documented … Read More “Jason Miles: The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles (Book Writing Cube)”
Joe La Barbera and Charles Levin: Times Remembered: The Final Years of the Bill Evans Trio (University of North Texas Press)
“I’m sorry, but your friend didn’t make it.” And with that, a small group of friends, loved ones, and co-workers knew the death of William … Read More “Joe La Barbera and Charles Levin: Times Remembered: The Final Years of the Bill Evans Trio (University of North Texas Press)”
Philip Watson: Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music (Faber)
Funny an Irish-based journalist who’s written about James Joyce’s Ulysses, wounded British soldiers, and Nick Cave is the man making the auspicious title claim of … Read More “Philip Watson: Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music (Faber)”
Kenny Werner: Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life (Sweet Lo Press)
Pianist/composer Kenny Werner’s Effortless Mastery isn’t just a must-read for musicians. A mix of practical wisdom, psychospiritual musings, and cockeyed humor, the influential 1996 book … Read More “Kenny Werner: Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery from Music to Life (Sweet Lo Press)”
Phil Freeman: Ugly Beauty: Jazz in the 21st Century (zer0)
The great literary critic Harold Bloom once wrote, “True criticism recognizes itself as a mode of memoir.” Case in point: Ugly Beauty. Phil Freeman’s collection … Read More “Phil Freeman: Ugly Beauty: Jazz in the 21st Century (zer0)”
Jackie Kay: Bessie Smith: A Poet’s Biography (Vintage)
First published in 1997, now republished with a new introduction, Jackie Kay’s Bessie Smith unrolls less like a formal study of the singer and much … Read More “Jackie Kay: Bessie Smith: A Poet’s Biography (Vintage)”
John Lurie: The History of Bones (Random House)
Like its author, a memoir of John Lurie’s could zig and zag in a dozen directions. There’s the acting career that brought him to the … Read More “John Lurie: The History of Bones (Random House)”
Ed & Diane Reed: Double Helix: A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, and Jazz in Two Voices (ReedsWrite)
Cleveland-born, Bay Area-based jazz vocalist Ed Reed may not have a thousand recording credits to his name. He has, however, lived a life as long … Read More “Ed & Diane Reed: Double Helix: A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, and Jazz in Two Voices (ReedsWrite)”
