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Girl Singer (by Mick Carlon)
Educator and author Mick Carlon has found a unique way to introduce young people to jazz. He writes novels which juxtapose adolescent fictional characters with realistic portrayals of past jazz masters. His first two books featured Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and in his new novel, Girl Singer, he explores the worlds of the Count…
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Riding on Duke’s Train & Travels with Louis (by Mick Carlon)
One of the greatest challenges in keeping jazz alive is introducing its most famous artists to children. The music programs in public schools rarely delve into jazz history, and music appreciation classes are usually only available to high schoolers. English teacher Mick Carlon may have found a solution to this problem with his jazz-themed novels…
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Pepper Adams’ Joy Road (by Gary Carner)
For author Gary Carner, chronicling the work and music of baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams has become a lifetime career. In the past months, Carner has released an enormous amount of material, including an annotated discography, and a digital box set containing new versions of Adams’ 43 compositions. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the collected materials in this…
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Learning to Listen (by Gary Burton)
From his start as a child prodigy in Indiana through his long dual career of musician and educator, Gary Burton has been an important force in jazz for the past five decades. His new autobiography, Learning to Listen tells of his career, his sexuality and, as Thomas Cunniffe notes in this review, an eloquent chapter…
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The Jazz Standards (by Ted Gioia)
Ted Gioia’s new book The Jazz Standards is an invaluable guide to the standard repertoire of working jazz musicians. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume, which includes essays on 252 songs by Tin Pan Alley and jazz composers. And if you’re wondering why we’re featuring this book in a Women in Jazz issue, it’s because Gioia…
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Jazz Tales from Jazz Legends (by Monk Rowe with Romy Britell)
Over the past several decades, jazz oral history projects have preserved the stories of great musicians. While the Filius Jazz Archive from Hamilton College may not be as well known as other jazz oral history projects, a new book Jazz Tales from Jazz Legends reveals that the Filius Archive holds several unique treasures. Thomas Cunniffe…
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Jive Colored Glasses (by John F. Goodman)
Up until a few years ago, John F. Goodman’s best-known work in jazz journalism was his nine-year tenure as the music critic for Playboy magazine. Jazz has been a passion for Goodman ever since his childhood, and in his new self-published memoir, “Jive Colored Glasses” he relates how jazz was a constant part of his…
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The Last Balladeer: The Johnny Hartman Story (by Gregg Akkerman)
Most jazz fans know the vocalist Johnny Hartman for his intensely romantic album with John Coltrane. In his new Hartman biography, The Last Balladeer, Gregg Akkerman sorts through all of the myths about this misunderstood singer. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the results.
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Swinger!: A Jazz Girl’s Adventures (by Judy Carmichael)
Jazz’s coexistence of styles allows any musician of any age, gender or race to pursue any genre they wish, even if it’s not currently in style. Still the late 1970s appearance of Judy Carmichael, a white, blond and stunningly beautiful stride pianist turned several heads. In her new memoir, Swinger!, Carmichael offers a compelling narrative…
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Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club (by Kathy Sloane)
Todd Barkan’s Keystone Korner. was one of San Francisco’s premier clubs in the 70s and 80s. In her new book, Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club, author/photographer Kathy Sloane offers an intimate portrait of the nightspot, complete with a CD of recordings from the club. Chris Coulter reviews the package.