Book Description
This biography reveals the lost history of the life of the 1920s Black female international superstar. Mills was lionized by the crowned heads in Europe and opened doors for generations of Black female stars from Lena Horne to Diana Ross. Although her career and shows changed the nature of Black entertainment, and thereby the wider American popular culture, she was largely forgotten in later years. Anyone who wants to understand the history of Black entertainment from Bert Williams to Michael Jackson and, by implication, the history of American popular culture, needs to understand the ways in which Florence Mills changed the rules forever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - A legend before our time
Suffice it to say that there are few individuals who have ever heard of Florence Mills, and that includes some resolute jazz enthusiasts. But through much persistence Bill Egan has changed that and has illuminated our awareness of this entertainment legend. Irish-born Egan, while doing research on jazz great Duke Ellington, came across Florence Mills' name, the woman who inspired Duke's recording of 'Black Beauty'; his tribute to Florence, a fellow Washingtonian.

She was born Florence Winfrey on January 25, 1896 in a middle class section of Washington, D.C., but hard times forced the family to move to a less desirable section of the city known as Goat Alley. Florence began her exodus from the Alley at the tender age of three and by the time she was seven, she was supplementing the family's income by performing in the bordellos where her mother did laundry. Florence and her two sisters traveled the globe displaying their talents and gaining prominence in a world dominated by people who were different, by race and by gender. They did the chitterling circuit long before it was given the name.

Florence opened the door for generations of female stars as she was able to break through white barriers. She performed before crowned dignitaries in Europe and earned the title 'darling of the diplomats', was listed in the New York Times as a dignitary herself, and helped to redefine the entertainment world. Florence's untimely death in 1927 created an unexpected outpouring of grief. Although she was never recorded, and for the most part was nearly forgotten decades later, she is an icon in show business. To understand the history of the industry, from Bert Williams to popular culture, you need to understand how Florence Mills changed the rules.

HARLEM JAZZ QUEEN explores the association between Florence and the early beginnings of jazz and ragtime, her keen intelligence and strong social conscience, and her phenomenal success as the first black international female superstar. It also documents her association with classical music with noted composers William Grant Still and Constant Lambert. This is a history that was too long coming, but one that will captivate and enlighten readers.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

A unique biography of the African American entertainer
Contributing to Scarecrow's 'Studies in Jazz' series comes Bill Egan's Florence Mills: Harlem Jazz Queen, a unique biography of the African American entertainer of the 1920s from childhood to her death at age 31. Mills' achievements opened the doors for generations of black female stars from Lena Horne to modern times, and chapters recount how Mills was able to break through the white barriers to become a star in her own right. She even became famous enough to be listed in a New York Times list of dignitaries sailing aboard a vessel, and helped redefine the world of entertainment as a whole, which was formerly divided between 'black' and 'white' entertainment.
... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

The Musical Mind of Lester Willis Young
This is a great book if you want to try to understand Prez. There are tons of transcribed solos, and you can listen and read along--or even better--play along. All examples are in Bb transcription, so you can play along on your own Tenor Sax.

Take for example the solo he did with Count Basie on Lady, Be Good. It is something new, something he created, it sounds like a real breakthrough, like music has been pushed to a new level. Worthy of further study. Or dig how modern Prez sounds on I Didn't Know What Time It Was. You can see several different versions of many standards, done years apart, showing the evolving sound. For instance, Just You, Just Me, the earliest version is so classic, but the later version at a quicker tempo is an interesting comparison.

Besides the transcriptions and discography, the prose is good, too. I like the writing, as it seems like it was written by a musician, with a great understanding of the music, and also a musical way of writing.

Good analysis
If you want to understand what the musical elements are in Lester's hugely influential style, read this book and listen to every recording you can afford to lay hands on.
Porter does a great job of transcribing and annotating several Young solos from different points in his career and explains with solid scholarship exactly what Young was doing and some of the whys.Porter is not among those who dismiss Lester's later work with the cliche about all the best stuff being before WWII.Instead he breaks Young's career into three periods and examines each fairly.There are some gaps in his discography, i.e.,the session with Oscar Peterson, but that may be due to the original publication date pre-dating the advent of CDs.
Charlie Parker's idol and cited as a major influence by nearly every jazz saxophonist to follow him, Lester Young was indeed the President of the Saxophone. ... Read more

Book Description
Spice up your Christmas party or seasonal recital with these jazz-inspired arrangements of familiar carols. Superb fare for both teenage and adult pianists. 6 solos: Away in a Manger * Deck the Hall * It Came Upon the Midnight Clear * Jingle Bells * Silent Night * We Wish You a Merry Christmas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Utterly Shameful Review, Careless !
The author L. Gourse was shameful, utterly careless in her dealing and research of the gem that is Carmen!

What demons dwelled in residence within this author that she should have chosen so wretched a photograph to depict the jewel that was Carmen?Her depiction of the "Gem" Carmen was ghastly, not to mention downright hasty, shameful.

I hope she will know that when her turn comes, the same carelessness will accompany any rememberances of her as a 'so-called' biographer.Startling details and conclusions were boldly brought forth, but sadly, it fizzes away with lack of evidence or any weighty proofs.Shameful is all I say and careless trivialities concerning her subject, for "subject" is all that our jewel Carmen was to this author, not merely a human being.Carmen deserves better!

Carol "chickadee coralreef amaryillis" Ann

Typical Leslie Gourse Book
What a missed opportunity! There are not many books written about wonderful Carmen Mc Rae and Gourse could finally writte something interesting about this underrated singer but unfortunately Gourse know only how to collect previously published articles and squeeze them together as "book" - I read most of her "books" and its always the same dry story,wonder why she never uses her own talent (if she have any,her book "Louis' Children is the only one interesting - but then,its collection of short profiles written as a journalism,so perhaps thats what Gourse knows how to do) to make her writting a bit more substantial,a bit more than just a articles-collection.I imagine Gourse to spend evenings at library where those articles can be collected and then just splash them together carelessly in some sort of chronological order - who cares for recording dates when at the end nothing was really said about Carmen Mc Rae? I love Mc Rae dearly and feel her sensitivity behind those defensive walls she built around her,what a shame Gourse did her usual quick job and did not used the opportunity for some insight into life of this enigmatic woman! The only good thing about this book is that all the previously published informations about Mc Rae are collected here in one thin volume,hopefully somebody will came along to writte more researched and detailed biography! And the picture on the cover is SO ugly - with Mc Rae glamourous looks and so many other,better photos inside of the book I wonder why was this unflattering picture choosen for a cover?

Needs knowledge of subject
The woman cannot spell, but not only does she have great trouble with the language, she seems clueless when it comes to her subject. She has assembled numerous books, none of any substance, and this alleged biography of Carmen McRae is so full of factual errors that it is almost laughable.

Recommended for jazz music fans
Leslie Gourse's Carmen Mcrae, Miss Jazz tells of the life of a jazz singer who grew up during the swing era in Harlem to make her mark on the music world at the ripe 'old' age of 34. This is based on interviews conducted by McRae before her death as well as added insights by her friends, family and fellow musicians. Recommended for jazz music fans.

Very Sad
Ms. Gourse's biography does not, in my opinion, do justice to this legandary jazz artist. I was hoping for some improvement over her biography on Sarah Vaughan, however, my opinion is that Ms. Gourse's Carmen McRae bio takes her down a few more notches as a biographer/writer.I almost got the feeling that it was slapped together quickly due to publishing deadlines or a general lack of interest in the subject. ... Read more

Book Description
A "fakebook" is a collection of melodies with the chord changes that allows jazz musicians to read the tunes instead of playing solely by ear and memory. It is, then, a place to start, a structure upon which jazz improvisation, "faking," builds. As a young man, the author, a jazz saxophone player, tried to make a living at what he loved most. He failed, gave up jazz and became a college English professor. Today he is playing his saxophone again, at weekend gigs, rediscovering the unending challenge and the fulfillment that jazz brings him. This journey of self-discovery demonstrates the power of both jazz and superbly crafted writing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Greta Help for Sax Players!!!
I am a amateur Tenor Sax player in Brooklyn NY, and I cannot believe how much this book has helped me with the saxophone. He described my state of mind exactly. I had played saxophone in High School and had not played since my first year of collegein 1984. About 5 years ago, I was watching a documentary on Charlie Parker heard him play and decided to take it up again at a time in my life when I was single and had no obligations. I thought I would be able to pick it up again and in a small time become good enough to make a career. However the realities of playing the saxophone soon set in and I realized I would never be good enough able to make a living at it without devoting my whole life and energies toit. Then I got married and the challenges of being married and making a living made it very difficult to keep up with jazz and the saxophone however I persevered.Reading this book let me know that it was ok not to make a career out of music, and be able to enjoy it without the pressures of making a living from it. And to see someone else who is married and still finds the time to practice and play and keep a marriage together,(which I know is not easy) helped me tremendously. He also helped me to understand that the frustrations I felt (and still feel!)in learning to play the saxophone were not a result of some innate inability to play the saxophone but are normal and part of the process!! Should be required reading for all who are interested in playing the saxophone.

a good read
If you like jazz but don't know why, this book will help you explain it. If you don't know if you like jazz, it will tell you whom you should listen to. If you are sure you like jazz, you will like the book for showing how important music can be in a life. It is a very entertaining combo of music and autobiography. ... Read more

Book Description
Music and the Creative Spirit is a book of interviews with today's innovators in Jazz, Improvisation, and the Avant Garde, including Pat Metheny, Regina Carter, Fred Anderson, John Zorn, Joshua Redman, and others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent resource
This book is very inspiring.The words of these phenomenol musicians speaks to inspiration and muse, cultural influences, and living in general.Most of the musicians here arejazz players, but their life experiences speak to improvisation, ideas, and the heart ofmusic in any genre.Any contemporary musician especially would find this a rich resource. ... Read more

Book Description
Never before in paperback: A rare eyewitness appreciation of a jazz legend

Bix has always inspired acclaim, for he was an unmatched master of the cornet. Ralph Berton was privileged enough to have been a fan-and younger brother of Bix's drummer--just as Beiderbecke's genius was flowering, before he died in 1931 at age twenty-eight. Listening from behind the piano, tagging along to honky-tonks and jam sessions, Berton heard some of the most extraordinary music of the century, and he brings Bix and his era alive with a remarkable combination of the excitement of youth and the perspective of the five decades that followed-decades that confirmed Bix's place in the pantheon of jazz. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Books should reveal truth, not spread baloney - I'd rate it no stars if I could
An earlier reviewer said "Berton bubbles over with cleverness."True- clever writing based on inaccuracies and half truths by all Bix's other contemporaries and the scholarly research done by others.
You'd be far better off reading Sudhalter and Evans' "BIX: MAN AND LEGEND".

The section on Bix's supposed Bisexuality comes across as Berton's fantasy /projection on Bix. Berton seems more fascinated with himself and his family than the subject of the book.

I think Bix, who was an easy going guy by all accounts, would have punched out Berton if he had lived to see this piece of tripe published.

Makes good kindling....

I've read dozens of jazz history books - this one's the best!
I simply could not put this book down, and when forced to, only thought of when I might be able to pick it back up again.Ralph Berton is an amazing writer. He combines colorful prose, great humor and rare insights into the soul of jazz, life, love and lest we forget, the tragic life of Bix Beiderbecke.

If you are a musicologist looking for studious research on this period of jazz, you will be frustrated by this book.If you treasure rich imagery that brings history to life, step into this wonderful time machine - and enjoy a guided tour of jazz culture in the 1920's.

one of my top 5....
i haven't read this in a while. i came across it in a little bookstore in san francisco, bought it and didn't put it down for a week. it is such an unbelievably rich experience. it does bear mentioning that the book doesn't wholly focus on bix. you end up not really caring. the portions dealing with bix are very profound and highly memorable.
ralph berton is a very sensitive writer. his ability to draw in the reader is formidable.
i loaned my copy to my mom, so i came to amazon to buy another copy.

Take with a grain of salt (and a slug of gin)
This book is essentially everything you wanted to know about the career, family and sex life of Ralph Berton -- oh, and then there's that guy Beiderbecke who keeps hanging around him.

Actually, it's not a bad evocation of a frantic era and how it ended.Berton paints some great word pictures of what it must have been like to travel with the Wolverines and party with a still young-and-healthy Bix.The skeptical or more serious reader, however, may speculate on exactly where the facts end and the fiction begins.

For a more even-handed bio, a better bet is Sudhalter/Evans' BIX: MAN AND LEGEND, which treats its subject with respect without turning into a dry listing of facts and dates.

Still, REMEMBERING BIX is a fun read for anyone in love with Bix, his music, and his times.

It's WONDERFUL......plain & simple!
I, too, read it a long time ago. I would have been crazy about this book even if I'd never heard of Bix. Every paragraph is a gem. Berton bubbles over with cleverness. I use expressions & phrases that I picked up from the book, every day! And like another reviewer, I would love to know what happened to Ralph Berton. ... Read more

Book Description
Pianist George Shearing is that rare thing, a European jazz musician who became a household name in the US, as a result of the 'Shearing sound' - the recordings of his historic late 1940s quintet. Together with his unique 'locked hands' approach to playing the piano, Shearing's quintet with guitar and vibraphone in close harmony to his own playing revolutionised small group jazz, and ensured that after seven years as Melody Maker's top British pianist, he achieved even greater success in America. His compositions have been recorded by everyone from Sarah Vaughan to Miles Davis, and his best known pieces include Lullaby of Birdland, She and Conception.His story is all the more remarkable because Shearing was born blind. His candid reminiscences include a behind the scenes experience of New York's 52nd Street in its heyday, as well as memories of a vast roll-call of professional colleagues that includes all the great names in jazz. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A charming and often funny autobiography
This is a delightful book by one of the finest jazz pianists in the world. Born blind in Britain, in a poor neighborhood in London, who would have guessed that Mr. Shearing would end up becoming one of the true jazz greats? It's a remarkable story, made all the more enjoyable by his boundless sense of humor. The book is full of stories of practical jokes and delightful reminiscences of the other fine musicians Mr. Shearing has had the pleasure of playing with. There is not a huge amount of in-depth history or musical theory in here, this is a fun, light read, but Mr. Shearing's character shines through as does his relentless optimism about life. In a delightful touch, my copy of the book includes a braille sticker on the third page, which has Mr. Shearing's name on it. If you close your eyes and run your fingers over the sticker, and then try to imagine playing the piano, it makes Mr. Shearing's life and achievements all the more remarkable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not bad..
I have read this book cover to cover several times by now, so I have a few opinions. Like another reviewer said, the entries for artists of the same caliber are very disproportunate. There is also a shortage of biographical info on some of the people. The mental breakdowns of Bud Powell and Billy Bolden are well documented, but no mention is made of the fact of Jaco Pastorious' breakdown and death (he's even talked about in the present tense). Here's my main gripe: while their choices for essential albums are mostly right on - though they only recommend ONE JOHN ZORN CD - at least 60-70% of the CDs they recommend are out of print and ridiculously expensive, or on import labels. I underlined quite a few that I wanted in the book and went looking on Amazon for them. It's enough to make you cry. And I don't know about you, but I automatically skip the entries on British musicians. I just don't care about British jazz. There's too much good American stuff for me to dig into. So, all in all - the book is good if you're dipping your toe into the pool, but if you've been wading in here for awhile, you might be disappointed.

A fine guide
This is a fine guide indeed - it covers more non-US artists than some other notable editions (European, Azian, African artists...) and it really tries to keep up with recent developments in jazz.

Naturally, all that means that traditionalists might desire larger articles on (mostly American) true jazz giants of the classical era, but that's just a matter of personal taste.

Some of the articles are impressionistic, unneceserily pointing out that an artist didn't play so well when he wisited Europe few years before he died, but failing to say why precisly was he so great, but most of the articles are (in the worst cases) fine, written with real passion for the music, and often relying on serious research.

As a fan (primarily but not exclusively) of older jazz I'd like to point to the articles on Buddy Bolden and ODJB, where the influence of this all-white group's influence on British society is comparable to the influence of later punk musicians (!?).

So, this book is not only interesting and useful, it is also thought-provoking.

the bible of jazz
i bought rough guide to soul for myself last year and couldn't put it down.so i am going out on a limb by glorifying rough guide to jazz so readily.but i feel safe in this.

and i hope my dad really likes it--it was his birthday gift this year!

guess what?he liked it!!!

Excellent
I like this book, mainly because I find I share similar tastes as as the authors. If they recommend a CD, I generally enjoy it. Their selection of the best recordings of people like Corea and Jarrett I also agree with. Whereas I have been disappointed with other publications such as the Penguin and AMG guides which have a different viewpoint.

Not surprisingly, the book is very good on the British scene and what is happening on the Babel, Caber and Provocateur labels. The UK is very interesting at the moment, with lots of young exciting players and music.

Grows on You
The Rough guide doesn't compete with the Penguin jazz guide for the sheer number of reviews, but it does make for a great comparison.I usually go to the Penguin guide first and then cross check against the Rough guide.There is certainly a different feel between the two books and what they list as important.The rough guide is more contemporary in my opinion, with fewer hang-ups about what jazz is and which albums are worthwhile.Having both books is a good way to go and a good way to learn. ... Read more

Book Description
The accomplishments of seminal jazz trumpeter Bernard "Bunny" Berigan have secured his place in the annals of American music history.In his short lifetime (1908-1942) , Berigan performed on more than six hundred recordings and served as a direct link between Louis Armstrong and later musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, and Wynton Marsalis. Berigan lent his uninhibited jazz style to the big bands of Benny Goodman, Hal Kemp, and Tommy Dorsey, and he was in demand as a studio musician for vocalists Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, and Mildred Bailey. In addition to playing for the music industry's giants, Berigan became one himself by forming his own band in 1937 and recording his most famous hit and theme song, "I Can't Get Started."In the first comprehensive biography of Berigan, Robert Dupuis draws on hundreds of interviews with family, friends, and colleagues to present a fascinating and entertaining look at the fast-paced career and personal life of this jazz great. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The pied piper
Bunny Berigan's career as a jazz musician, in a very particular, almostgod-given way, happened to co-incide with the swing era. At that, Bunny was one, who more than anybody of his contemporaries, contributed to justifying the the concept of swing, the real core of swinging jazz. One thing isall the memorable recordings he left behind, another thing is the many testimonies of those who were happy to listen to him alive. A word that often turns up about his performances, is "electrifying", expressed by or agreed upon by great leaders as Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. It was very much due toBunny's marvellous solo achievments,that
the two band leaders benefitted from a lot of many million hits in the thirties. Robert Depuis' biography is written with both admiration and an honest wish to pay a matter-of-fact tribute to one of the heroes of his youth. His book, "Bunny Berigan, elusive legend", is an immaculate account of Bunny's life and invaluable contribution to jazz music. I was very lucky to meet Bob Dupuis in Fox Lake in 2003 and get his dedication. His book has a very special and cherished place in my collection of jazz litterature.
Regards
Arve Somdahl
Norway

A thoroughly engrossing biography about a true jazz legend.
Mr. Dupuis has quite successfully transferred his years of scholarly research and genuine personal affection for the Swing Era into a very readable and insightful time capsule of that era.My father, MortStulmaker, was a bassist for Bunny Berigan during this unique time in musichistory and, so, I had a special reason for reading this book.I becamethoroughly immersed in it.Through the author's narrative and in-depthintense descriptive ability, I felt I was living a musician's life andexperiencing all the joys, successes, failures and heartaches that wentwith it.He has captured it in total honesty.I must also add that I hadthe wonderful experience of attending the 25th Bunny Berigan Jazz Festivalin Bunny's hometown of Fox Lake, Wisconsin.After reading Mr. Dupuis' bookand then attending the Festival, I came away with even a deeperappreciation for the special quality of the music and times of that era.Ihighly recommend this book.

The best biography out on one of jazz's greatest trumpeters.
This is, I believe, Mr. Dupuis's first book and it shows to an extent. He spends too much time on his visits to Bunny's hometown in Wisconsin and devotes a big chunk of one chapter to a generic discussion of alcoholism. That's the bad news. The good news is that this is the best researched and detailed biography of Bunny Berigan that has been done, it's in print, it's well (if not lavishly) illustrated, and Dupuis's recommendations for listening are excellent (my opinion and that of several fellow Berigan fans I checked with). Bunny Berigan was one of jazz'sgreat musicians, a true "musician's musician." It was his solo at the Palomar Ballroom in California, while a member of the Benny Goodman orchestra, that nearly started a riot and is as good a starting point for the emergence of Swing as the dominant popular music form as any. Like too many of his era, Benny was a chronic alcoholic and he died a premature death because of his drinking. The modest amount of recordings he left still attract a following and through them his magic lingers on. Many of the greats of jazz (such as Louis Armstrong) were quick to list themselves as fans of his. This is the best biography of one of jazz's greatest trumpeters and one of its most tragic lost souls. If you want to learn about the life of Bunny Berigan or his music, this is your book. Also highly recommended for Swing Era/Music fans in general ... Read more

Book Description

"In this account of the world adventures of two splendid jazz artists, Bill Zinsser has given us one of the most exciting books about America's original art form that I've ever read. It's a revelation."-Studs Terkel

"A thoughtful, adept, and satisfyingly unusual book…It constantly suggests improvisation."-The New York Times Book Review

"Highly recommended."-Library Journal

Customer Reviews (3)

an overlooked classic
This book is a masterpiece. Zinnser delivers what is perhaps the archetypical story of the development of serious American artists. Zinnser is one of the most talented and overlooked writers, and he tells the story of Mitchell and Ruff with humor, clarity, and intelligence. If most books about jazz and jazz musicians were this good, we'd have a whole subset of profound literature based on the music, but unfortunately, Zinnser's book is a rare gem. Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff couldn't have hoped for a better writer, nor Zinnser for a better subject.

Willie, Dwike and Zinsser
I am a big fan of Zinsser and the child of a big band sax man so had to read Willie and Dwike. Willie and Dwike (the earlier, out -of -print edition of this book) is the life stories of two amazing and brilliant musicians and the author who shadows them as they travel to foreign countries and small towns across the U.S. Throughout, Zinsser conveys the great minds, quiet dignity and incredible musicianship of these men so dedicated to their art - the art of jazz. It is a delightful read! A must read if you love jazz and good writing.

Not Just for Jazz Fans
Get this book! Zinsser is a fabulous writer. You will be moved and enthralled by the story of these gifted and dedicated men. The author's description of Ruff explaining the concept of musical improvisation to a Chinese audience is unforgetable.
I think this is a re-issue of Willie & Dwyke (1984), now out of print. ... Read more

Book Description
Lillian Lil Hardin was a pioneer for women in jazz.After studying at Fisk University, the Chicago College of Music, and the New York College of Music, Lil joined Sugar Johnny's Creole Orchestra and then moved on to Freddie Keppard's Original Creole Orchestra.In the 1920's Lil began playing in King Oliver's world-famous Creole Jazz Band, becoming the first female jazz musician of renown.She was well-established in Chicago as a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader before she met and married Louis Armstrong in 1924.She was the only member of Armstrong's group that could read music.Based on extensive research, Dickerson's stunning biography is the first to examine this musical iconoclast's life and career. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Amazing Woman
Lil Armstrong has got to be the most amazing woman in American music history.

From reading this book, I learned things about jazz history that I did not know. I never realized how dependent Louis Armstrong was on his wife for his success. Not only did she write his early songs, she shaped him into the world-class performer that he became in later years.

I was also surprised to learn how sleazy the music busness was in those days. The author does an excellent job of documenting the birth of jazz in an atmosphere of crime and racial intolerance. Lil was victimized her entire life. Especially despicable is a certain man who took advantage of her good nature and her artistic talent. What he did to Lil is awful.

If you are not moved by this story, you are not human.

Great book....so when is the movie coming out?

Lil would have hated this flawed effort.
This ranks among the most shallow, factually incorrect jazz biographies I have read. As someone who knew Lil Armsrong well, I was struck by how far off the mark this alleged portrait of her is. The author hasn't a clue when it comes to Lil's personality, the fabric of her life, and her place in jazz. Lil deserves better than this hack job, which I gave one star because none is not an option.

a missed opportunity
As a lifelong jazz researcher, I was indeed thrilled when I discovered the first attempt at a Lil Hardin-Armstrong bio, but I must say that this one was a disappointment.Resources for jazz research are richer than they have ever been and jazz history books are finally starting to rise to the level of quality scholarship. but that is not evident here.The author seems to have assembled much of the previously published information on Lil, drawn some odd conclusions (exposing a lack of knowledge of early jazz music) and left it at that. Lil was a significant presence in the 1920's Chicago sceneand in the life of her second husband, Louis; she was a fine composer and an above-average instrumentalist.She most certainly did not, as the author suggests, write out Louis' magnificent introduction to West End Blues!
There is also a strange, and somewhat unfair characterization of Louis Armstrong in this book.While much is made of Louis' infidelities, little or nothing is mentioned of Lil's (which have been documented elsewhere).Such inconsistencies damage the credibility of the book.
I love Lil Armstrong's music, and I wish that there was a better biography of her out there.She certainly deserves better!

Dickerson's JUST FOR A THRILL
James L. Dickerson focuses upon Lillian 'Lil' Hardin as a
highly educated, multi-talented, and prestigious individual from
stardom in the early part of the Twentieth Century--when it was
not "cool" to be both a black female and a vocalist/instrumental-
ist--to her last recording. The biographer depicts Lil as one who
was willing to neglect opportunities that would foster her own
additional success in order to promote her husband, Louis Arm-
strong in his musical endeavors as a soloist and instrumentalist.

The conflicts in management, the shifts from city to city, and
the rocky marriage, which eventually involved "the other woman,"
took a toll on the relationship between Lil and Louis. However,
as Dickerson vividly emphasizes, Lil never lost her love for her
musical soulmate, with whom she nurtured their only child--jazz.

Lil Hardin's impressive musical career
Just For A Thrill: Lil Hardin Armstrong, First Lady Of Jazz by James L. Dickerson is the energetic, informative and compelling biography of Lillian "Lil" Hardin (1898-1971), one of the most sought-after female jazz pianists in Chicago in her day and the wife of Louis Armstrong until their divorce in 1938. Lil Hardin's impressive musical career, trailblazing achievements and exciting love of music are all recorded in this first-class biography. Just For A Thrill is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to the growing library of biographies and memoirs of the men and women who significantly contributed to the development of jazz -- America's unique contribution to the world of music. ... Read more

Book Description
One of the world's great tenor saxophonists, Sonny Rollins has always been committed to the fundamental truths of jazz, especially swing. He has managed to be consistently experimental and forward-looking, and he has recorded at least a dozen essential albums. Here, Richard Palmer charts Rollins's career in full. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

basic information required
in, my not so humble opinion,all books of this type should have as comprehensivea discography as possible ....certainly any adverts for such should indicate the presence or not of one...willietmitchell

Not bad, but not great
This is a fairly typical "synopsis" style narration, of facts that most hard-core jazz fans already know. There is little new information, and one could probably glean most of the book's content from the liner notes of Rollins' records and the myriad of magazine articles that have been written about him. Mr. Palmer could have done all fans a service if he had been able to secure a new, in-depth interview with Sonny (although notoriously difficult to obtain, he could have persevered in order to provide some real insight into Rollins in the new millenium), discussing his artform rather than who he has played with or specific compositions. This man will not be around for many more years and this was a wasted opportunity to really plumb the depths of the artist while he is still alive, adding fresh insight to an otherwise regurgitative book. ... Read more

Book Description
Interviewed by Griffiths, jazz artists describe their background and musical training. They describe the pleasures and sufferings of jazz life, and share memories of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington. These voices from the past and the present merge into a colorful account of one of America's brightest points in musical history. Contains 18 photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Finally... biography of the best tenor saxophonist
Great story of his life and his music. Appropriate title indeed of the best tenor sax ballad players ever. His Chelsea Bridge and Time After Time songs are greatest if you want to hear the Breathy Sound Ben Webster can make. Long live his legend!

New Biography of a Tenor Sax Legend
Ben Webster was one of the great tenor sax players in the history of jazz.Best known for his productive two-year stint with Duke Ellington (1940-42), Webster was an original and distinctive soloist whose greatest strength was as a ballad player.After he leaving Ellington, he embarked on a thirty-year solo career, but his Swing-oriented style fell from favor by the late '40's.He recorded frequently in the Fifties and Sixties, but he struggled to match his earlier achievements.He left the U.S. and settled in Europe in the Sixties, and he died there in 1973.

A full-length biography of Webster is long overdue, and the void has been filled by this book.Unfortunately, Jeroen De Valk 's biography is only a partial success.Webster's early career and Forties heyday are covered in adequate fashion, but there does not seem to be much new research.Nor is there any serious analysis of his music.The author fails to fully convince the reader of Webster's greatness as a musician, which is a puzzling ommission.

The book's greatest problem, however, is its emphasis on Webster's European years, which were a sad, alcoholic period in his life that produced little memorable music.The author is Dutch, and most of his direct sources are apparently Europeans that knew Webster during his last years.Half of the text focuses on this period, and gives the book a rather awkward imbalance. Still, its nice to have a biography of this legend, and the book includes a very useful discography of Webster's recordings. ... Read more