Featured Book: Let's Get To The Nitty Gritty: The Autobiography of Horace Silver

Author: Horace Silver

Publisher: University of California Press

Year Published: 2006

Type: Autobiography

Format / Pages: / 264 pages

Review:

Readers who have listened to the jazz sounds of Horace Silver will find his autobiography both insightful and entertaining.  There is a foreword by Joe Zawinul.  The book is edited with afterword by Phil Pastras.  Both men have provided much information that is essential to understanding the remarkable jazz genius that is Horace Silver. Silver was born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1928 and now lives in Malibu, California.  The Horace Silver website is found at www.horacesilver.com. Another important item to this fine book is the discography compiled by Eric B. Olsen.

Silver has written the book with six chapters and an epilogue. The first two chapters examine the man's childhood and teenage years, and the effects and affects of growing up in those years.The chapter on his early adult years has information that will surprise and intrigue readers with its well-written, straight-ahead approach.  Chapter Four is "The Quintet" and a fascinating look at what goes into making a quintet successful.

Chapters five and six examine the middle years and later years of Silver's life.  The epilogue is something special which all listeners of jazz will appreciate.

Horace Silver has won many awards during his career, starting in 1954 with a piano poll award from critics in Downbeat.  Horace Silver writes with keen insight into the performances and work of his peers.  Some of the artists covered include: Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Teddy Wilson, among others.

For a look at a place and a time, this is excellent reading.  It is also a reliable reference book for examining those times, including the racial discrimination problems that hampered the careers of many jazz musicians.  An honest, direct style of writing gives the reader a feeling of being present in the life of Horace Silver and coming to understand his feelings as he became a legendary jazz pianist and composer.

For a book about a man's life, his contribution to jazz, and his insights into living a meaningful life, this autobiography by Horace Silver is outstanding.  A memorable reading experience.  Highly recommended.

Additional Information: Check it out @ Amazon.com

ISBN: 9780520253926

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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