jazz books

lazy bird · February 3rd, 2003, 02:54 PM

Which jazz books do you appreciate?

I haven't read a lot of jazz books yet, but I like these books:

Miles / Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe
The history of jazz / Ted Gioia
American musicians II / Whitney Balliet

The most funny book I have ever read about jazz is a dutch translation of a book by the French writer Boris Vian. Unfortunately, this translation isn't in print anymore. I'm more used to read Englisch then French, thus I wonder I I could order his books on jazz in English.

bombastic · February 3rd, 2003, 03:44 PM

Visions of Jazz by Garry Giddins is a good one.

champjams · February 3rd, 2003, 06:41 PM

Hampton Hawes's "Raise Up Off Me" is great.

Dr. J. · February 15th, 2003, 09:34 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lazy bird
I haven't read a lot of jazz books yet, but I like these books:

Miles / Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe
The history of jazz / Ted Gioia
American mucicians II / Whitney Balliet

Also "Meet Me at Jim and Andy's" by Gene Lees - a classic
The new Chet Baker bio, Deep in a Dream, by James Gavin, is excellent

Hardbop · March 5th, 2003, 11:47 AM

I'm currently reading Stanley Dance's "The World of Duke Ellington" where he interviews the Duke and many of his sidemen. It is shaping up to be a good read.

DustyFoot · March 5th, 2003, 01:04 PM

In addition to Visions of Jazz and Ted Gioia's History of Jazz, already mentioned above, I would add:

Myself When I Am Real (Charles Mingus) - Gene Santoro

Both of Ashley Kahn's "Making Of" books, "Kind of Blue" and "A Love Supreme"

Also, I have Lewis Porter's "Coltrane" book but I have not read it yet -- I understand it is the 'bible' for all things Coltrane.

Santoro's Mingus book is a great read -- not only does it paint a portrait of the man and the times he lived in, but it is written like a novel and therefore I found myself drawn into the story much more than I am with typical straight-ahead biographical narratives. Each chapter ended such that the following chapter had to be read immediately!

I would highly recommend Gioia's book to anyone just getting into jazz. While it does not cover every zillionth bit of detail from the birth of jazz to the present, it provides more detail than you would expect of a book that deals with such a broad scope, which is the entire history of jazz basically. If Ken Burns had followed Gioia's approach, his 'Jazz' miniseries would have been much more successful and interesting in my opinion.

Muskrat Ramble · March 5th, 2003, 02:30 PM

Just read and then re-read most of Gioia's History, and I most strongly recommend it for its intelligence, enthusiasm, eloquence, and insight.

John F. Szwed (author of well-regarded bios of Sun Ra and, more recently, Miles) has a really good one called Jazz 101. What I wrote about Gioia's book largely applies here too. As the title implies, it's especially useful for jazz neophytes, but I think veterans will enjoy it as well. I've reread it many times with pleasure.

J Larsen · March 5th, 2003, 02:45 PM

That passage in Miles' autobiography where he's sharing a cab with a chicken-eating Charlie Parker and his female companion really sticks with you, doesn't it?

David H · March 5th, 2003, 03:02 PM

Off the top of my head books on jazz that I have enjoyed have include:

James Gavin's - Deep In A Dream: the long night of Chet Baker

Art & Laurie Pepper -Straight Life: the story of Art Pepper

Stuart Nicholson - Jazz Rock: a history

Ted Gioia - West Coast Jazz: modern jazz in California 1945-60

Ian Carr - Miles Davis: the definitive biography

sideshowbob · March 5th, 2003, 03:17 PM

Hello all, new here, first post.

I'd second the Santoro Mingus biography recommendation, and Art Pepper's Straight Life. Also, IMO everyone should read Mingus's (fictionalised) autobiography, Beneath the Underdog, which is one of my favourite books ever.

Recently finished a collection of Whitney Balliett's reviews and essays (Collected Works, published by Granta) which is comprehensive (1954 - 2000) and (mostly) very well written.

-- Ian

PDEE · March 5th, 2003, 04:50 PM

Two interesting reads on early Jazz are
WE Called It Music.. Eddie Condon.. full of quips etc, and good for the Beiderbecke fans

and Hear Me Talkin' to You collected statements and quotes from the people who made the music organised in a history of jazz style.

Always wished I could have been at the Hawk meets Kansas City Jam session as described by Mary Lou Wiliams.

victor · March 5th, 2003, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hardbop
I'm currently reading Stanley Dance's "The World of Duke Ellington" where he interviews the Duke and many of his sidemen. It is shaping up to be a good read.

hey hardbop if you want to read a great book on duke read his autobiography "music is my mistress" believe me it was so good i hated to put it down

gregk · March 5th, 2003, 05:33 PM

the new Miles book by Szwed is a good condensed bio, without endless examinations of every album in the discography. a pretty good read overall

kenny weir · March 5th, 2003, 05:37 PM

The Birth of Bebop: A Social and Musical History by Scott Deveaux is a fabulous read. I'm just starting to read it for the second time.

WestCoast Ghost · March 5th, 2003, 05:41 PM

I'm getting ready to read Mike Fitzgerald's bio of Gigi Gryce, RAT RACE BLUES, which I started once before but had to put aside for other projects. I'm going to interview Mike later this month and do a radio show on Gryce--I'll post the URL for anybody who's interested when it airs.
Also reading Linda Dahl's STORMY WEATHER, a good book any time of the year, but especially good for March (Women's History Month--I'm a blazin' leftist, what can I say?).

February 3rd, 2003, 02:54 PM	#1
lazy bird Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 244	jazz books Which jazz books do you appreciate? I haven't read a lot of jazz books yet, but I like these books: Miles / Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe The history of jazz / Ted Gioia American musicians II / Whitney Balliet The most funny book I have ever read about jazz is a dutch translation of a book by the French writer Boris Vian. Unfortunately, this translation isn't in print anymore. I'm more used to read Englisch then French, thus I wonder I I could order his books on jazz in English.

February 3rd, 2003, 06:41 PM	#3
champjams The Bebop Purist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 161	Hampton Hawes's "Raise Up Off Me" is great. __________________ I believe.

February 15th, 2003, 09:34 PM	#4
Dr. J. Confirmed jazzophiliac Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: just north of the Big Apple Posts: 84	Re: jazz books [QUOTE]Originally posted by lazy bird I haven't read a lot of jazz books yet, but I like these books: Miles / Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe The history of jazz / Ted Gioia American mucicians II / Whitney Balliet Also "Meet Me at Jim and Andy's" by Gene Lees - a classic The new Chet Baker bio, Deep in a Dream, by James Gavin, is excellent __________________ Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

March 5th, 2003, 01:04 PM	#6
DustyFoot Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA Posts: 61	In addition to Visions of Jazz and Ted Gioia's History of Jazz, already mentioned above, I would add: Myself When I Am Real (Charles Mingus) - Gene Santoro Both of Ashley Kahn's "Making Of" books, "Kind of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" Also, I have Lewis Porter's "Coltrane" book but I have not read it yet -- I understand it is the 'bible' for all things Coltrane. Santoro's Mingus book is a great read -- not only does it paint a portrait of the man and the times he lived in, but it is written like a novel and therefore I found myself drawn into the story much more than I am with typical straight-ahead biographical narratives. Each chapter ended such that the following chapter had to be read immediately! I would highly recommend Gioia's book to anyone just getting into jazz. While it does not cover every zillionth bit of detail from the birth of jazz to the present, it provides more detail than you would expect of a book that deals with such a broad scope, which is the entire history of jazz basically. If Ken Burns had followed Gioia's approach, his 'Jazz' miniseries would have been much more successful and interesting in my opinion. __________________ DustyFoot

March 5th, 2003, 05:41 PM	#15
WestCoast Ghost Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ether Posts: 721	I'm getting ready to read Mike Fitzgerald's bio of Gigi Gryce, RAT RACE BLUES, which I started once before but had to put aside for other projects. I'm going to interview Mike later this month and do a radio show on Gryce--I'll post the URL for anybody who's interested when it airs. Also reading Linda Dahl's STORMY WEATHER, a good book any time of the year, but especially good for March (Women's History Month--I'm a blazin' leftist, what can I say?). __________________ David Brent Johnson Night Lights Saturdays 11:05 p.m. WFIU 103.7 FM Bloomington, IN www.nightlights.indiana.edu

February 3rd, 2003, 03:44 PM	#2
bombastic Florida Jazz Tribe Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: naples,florida Posts: 698	Visions of Jazz by Garry Giddins is a good one.

March 5th, 2003, 11:47 AM	#5
Hardbop Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 1,537	I'm currently reading Stanley Dance's "The World of Duke Ellington" where he interviews the Duke and many of his sidemen. It is shaping up to be a good read.

March 5th, 2003, 02:30 PM	#7
Muskrat Ramble Stand-Up Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 986	Just read and then re-read most of Gioia's History, and I most strongly recommend it for its intelligence, enthusiasm, eloquence, and insight. John F. Szwed (author of well-regarded bios of Sun Ra and, more recently, Miles) has a really good one called Jazz 101. What I wrote about Gioia's book largely applies here too. As the title implies, it's especially useful for jazz neophytes, but I think veterans will enjoy it as well. I've reread it many times with pleasure.

March 5th, 2003, 02:45 PM	#8
J Larsen Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manhattan Posts: 191	That passage in Miles' autobiography where he's sharing a cab with a chicken-eating Charlie Parker and his female companion really sticks with you, doesn't it?

March 5th, 2003, 03:02 PM	#9
David H Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London, UK Posts: 100	Off the top of my head books on jazz that I have enjoyed have include: James Gavin's - Deep In A Dream: the long night of Chet Baker Art & Laurie Pepper -Straight Life: the story of Art Pepper Stuart Nicholson - Jazz Rock: a history Ted Gioia - West Coast Jazz: modern jazz in California 1945-60 Ian Carr - Miles Davis: the definitive biography

March 5th, 2003, 03:17 PM	#10
sideshowbob Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London Posts: 76	Hello all, new here, first post. I'd second the Santoro Mingus biography recommendation, and Art Pepper's Straight Life. Also, IMO everyone should read Mingus's (fictionalised) autobiography, Beneath the Underdog, which is one of my favourite books ever. Recently finished a collection of Whitney Balliett's reviews and essays (Collected Works, published by Granta) which is comprehensive (1954 - 2000) and (mostly) very well written. -- Ian

March 5th, 2003, 04:50 PM	#11
PDEE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodinville Wa Posts: 1,584	Two interesting reads on early Jazz are WE Called It Music.. Eddie Condon.. full of quips etc, and good for the Beiderbecke fans and Hear Me Talkin' to You collected statements and quotes from the people who made the music organised in a history of jazz style. Always wished I could have been at the Hawk meets Kansas City Jam session as described by Mary Lou Wiliams.

March 5th, 2003, 05:33 PM	#13
gregk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 537	the new Miles book by Szwed is a good condensed bio, without endless examinations of every album in the discography. a pretty good read overall

March 5th, 2003, 05:37 PM	#14
kenny weir Not Dead Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,117	The Birth of Bebop: A Social and Musical History by Scott Deveaux is a fabulous read. I'm just starting to read it for the second time.

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