The latest words on jazz, evaluated by critics who understand the power of jazz writing.
Do you remember your first Dexter Gordon moment? Did his bold, brash, relentlessly swinging playing grab you by the ears and refuse to let go? … Read More “Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon by Maxine Gordon (University of California Press)”
Bright, breezy, intelligent, assured: hallmark adjectives of Judy Carmichael’s celebrated dual careers as one of the foremost stride pianists of the past half-century and host … Read More “Swinger! A Jazz Girl’s Adventures from Hollywood to Harlem by Judy Carmichael”
In his introduction to The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums (Pantheon), noted authority Will Friedwald positions it as the conclusion of a quasi-trilogy. That … Read More “The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums by Will Friedwald (Pantheon Books)”
If you have a passing knowledge of how the publishing industry works, you are likely to cock a cynical eyebrow when pondering if a memoir … Read More “The Maiden Voyage of Fred Hersch”
Back in 1957, Decca Records assigned photojournalist Jerry Dantzic to photograph Billie Holiday for an album cover (see The Blues Are Brewin’), and Dantzic opted … Read More “Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill by Jerry Dantzic & Grayson Dantzic”
With its multifaceted radicalism, the Art Ensemble of Chicago occupies a singular niche in the American music timeline. That creative audacity could be found in … Read More “Message to Our Folks: The Art Ensemble of Chicago by Paul Steinbeck”
Jazz Festival (Reel Press), a stunning book of photographs by Jim Marshall, follows previous compilations of his work including not fade Away and Jazz. Featuring … Read More “Book Review: Jim Marshall’s Jazz Festival“
Book includes previously unpublished work
Josef Woodard’s Charles Lloyd: A Wild, Blatant Truth is an unauthorized biography. But it’s hard to imagine any authorized volume providing richer perspectives on one … Read More “Charles Lloyd: A Wild, Blatant Truth by Josef Woodard”
