Book Reviews

Rosemary Clooney was never truly a jazz vocalist, but she maintained a close association with jazz musicians in the last 25 years of her life. It made her a better singer, and her career experienced an artistic renaissance like few others. Thomas Cunniffe reviews Late Life Jazz, a new biography that, despite its title, discusses Clooney’s entire life and career.

In a recording career that spanned 22 years, Tubby Hayes played on nearly 400 different sessions, including broadcast, film and studio appearances. The only job more Herculean than playing all of those sessions is cataloging them. Thomas Cunniffe reviews 100% Proof: The Complete Tubby Hayes Discography, compiled by two of Hayes’ most ardent researchers, Simon Spillett and C. Tom Davis.

The second half of Louis Armstrong’s career may be the most misunderstood in all of jazz history. In his new book, What A Wonderful World, author Ricky Riccardi attempts to correct the record. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the book.

Most jazz history books discuss how social and technological advances affected the music, but Marc Myers’ book, Why Jazz Happened turns that formula on its head, and offers an insightful look into the music business in the process. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume in this month’s Book Review.

In a long-awaited biography, British saxophonist and jazz historian Simon Spillett examines the music and life of Tubby Hayes in The Long Shadow of the Little Giant. Spillett details the development of the British modern jazz scene and Hayes’ primary role within it, and also tells of Hayes’ addictive tendencies and messy personal life. In his review, Thomas Cunniffe calls this book one of the best biographies he’s read in years.

Timme Rosenkrantz was a Danish baron with a deep and abiding love for jazz. He spent significant parts of his life in the US, and his memoirs have been translated and collected in the new book Harlem Jazz Adventures. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume in this month’s book review.

The Baroness Pannonica Rothschild de Koenigswarter was one of a handful of non-musicians who played small but pivotal roles in the history of jazz. The Baroness’ great-niece Hannah has researched Nica’s story for radio and television documentaries, and has now put her findings in book form. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the volume.