Jazz Book / Video Reviews
Sort List By:
Most Recent
Page
[rew]
[prev]
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
[next]
[ff]
|
Lee Konitz: Conversations on the Improviser's Art by Andy Hamilton
|
As an oral biography, this book ranks among the top ones written about jazz musicians. The well-written book gives an in depth look at one of the world's great jazz saxophonists, Lee Konitz.
With a foreword by jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano, this book offers everything known about the great skills and talents of Lee Konitz.The reader is given an understanding of...
(Biography)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
 |
Legends of Bottleneck Blues Guitar (DVD video) by Various Guitarists
|
LEGENDS OF BOTTLENECK BLUES GUITAR is a 58 minute adventure on DVD video which will fascinate, entertain, and educate jazz fans who love blues guitar. It has some fine, lively performances in color, and black & white. Some of the performers seen include Son House performing "Death Letter Blues" and "Levee Camp Moan," Johnny Shines performing...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Legends of Jazz Guitar, Volume One (DVD video) by Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Joe Pass
|
Legends of Jazz Guitar, Volume One is a fine look on DVD video of some of the finest American jazz guitarists. Many artists with many songs. Barney Kessel performs "Basie's Blues," Herb Ellis performs "Sweet Georgia Brown," Wes Montgomery performs "Yesterdays," among others. Wes Montgomery in Belgium is also included on this DVD. A fine...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Legends of Jazz Guitar, Volume Three (DVD video) by Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, Pat Martino, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel
|
This 63 minute DVD video has some fine jazz guitar performances. The jazz listening audience will find much pleasure and enjoyment watching this collection. There are 9 selections. Among the songs are found Jim Hall performing "I'm Getting Sentimental Over," Barney Kessel performing a medley which includes "Manha De Carnaval and Samba De Orfeu," a great...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Legends of Jazz Guitar, Volume Two (DVD video) by Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, Grant Green
|
LEGENDS OF JAZZ GUITAR, VOLUME TWO is a 60 minute DVD video that has some of the nicest jazz guitar work around. It is a visual treat. There are 10 selections on the DVD video. Among them is a Kessel/Burrell/Green performance of "Blue Mist," Wes Montgomery performing "'Round Midnight," "Kenny Burrell performing "My Ship," Charlie Byrd performing "Isn't...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Lennie Tristano: His Life In Music by Eunmi Shim
|
For those who have an interest in the life and music of Lennie Tristano, this well-written biography will be a reading experience which is entertaining, educational, and an enlightening look at one of the most important jazz figures and until publication of this book, also one of the least known. Tristano holds a permanent, enduring position as one of...
(Biography)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Let's Get To The Nitty Gritty: The Autobiography of Horace Silver by Horace Silver
|
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...
(Autobiography)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Life, On the Fence by Marvin 'Doc' Holladay
|
Generally regarded as an outsized and
unwieldy instrument, the baritone saxophone has not always been accorded the
status of its more manageable sister instruments (soprano, alto, and tenor) in
the sonic continuum.
The huge horn has, however, been championed by
outstanding musicians whose contribution to jazz is nothing short of exemplary.
Numbered among the most notable of the 'bari' players (such as...
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by John Stevenson |
|
Living With Music / Ralph Ellison's Jazz Writings by Ralph Ellison
|
THE ETHIC OF
INVISIBILITY
This article has been writing itself for the last couple
of days as I was finishing this book. It initially attracted me in the
bookstore because of a quote of Ellison's on the back cover: "In the swift
whirl of time music is a constant, reminding us of what we were and of that
toward which we aspire. Art...
(Autobiography)
|
| Book Review by Lyn Horton |
|
Lookin' for Bird in the Big City by Robert Burleigh and Marek Los
|
An inspired Marek Los illustration opens "Lookin." Miles Davis, young and alone, blows his trumpet with the New York skyline as backdrop . The back cover displays the well-known Gottlieb photo of Bird and Miles together . A journey lies between.
Miles's early search for Bird is documented in "Miles,the Autobiography." In this fictionalized account,...
(Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Bill Falconer |
|
Looking for Chet Baker by Bill Moody
|
Bill Moody's fine murder mystery novel, LOOKING FOR CHET BAKER, features the adventures of jazz pianist Evan Horne on yet another involved crime adventure. Evan Horne is in search of a friend, Ace Buffington, who disappeared while in the process of writing an autobiography of Chet Baker. It gets involved quickly. This is Bill Moody's...
(Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Louis Armstrong : An Extravagant Life by Laurence Bergreen
|
Laurence Bergreen's book on Louis Armstrong is most satisfying in terms of exposing Armstrong, not just as a musician but as a human. Bergreen brings a fresh perspective to the life and times of this seminal jazz artist.
As Bergreen points out, Armstrong was clearly influenced by what was going on around him. The squalor of New Orleans where...
(Biography)
|
| Book Review by Beatrice Richardson |
|
Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers
|
Thomas Brothers has written a passionate, intimate story about early twentieth-century New Orleans, and it is truly an exciting account where truth is much stranger than fiction. This is a story of a unique American city and a unique American jazz artist.
There are many scenes and locations covered, including Funky Butt Hall. The earthy, wonderful foundations of early American...
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Louis' Children by Leslie Gourse
|
In Leslie Gourse's updated LOUIS' CHILDREN, readers are given an indepth, highly readable look at American jazz singers. There are tales and stories that will surprise the reader. Part 1: Prelude, has 5 chapters which cover Cousin Joe of New Orleans, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Bobby McFerrin, and Cab Calloway. Part 2: Big Band...
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Louisiana Music by Rick Koster
|
Rick Koster Nets a Gumbo as Diverse and Delicious as its Namesake
Experts on the subtitled subgenres may not like Louisiana Music. They'll feel too many details were left out, or subtleties were misrepresented. Never mind that. Rick Koster states in his introduction, "this book is about a search for Louisiana music, and it all starts not far from where...
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by David Seymour |
|
Making Jazz French by Jeffrey H. Jackson
|
MAKING JAZZ FRENCH, an indepth look at music and modern life in interwar Paris, is an enjoyable approach to jazz on the European scene. Jeffrey H. Jackson is to be congratulated on his fine book, and writing skills. This book deals with the years between World War One and World War Two, a time when F....
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Making the Scene: Contemporary New York City Big Band Jazz by Alex Stewart
|
Alex Stewart is a former freelance jazz musician who is currently Associate Professor of Music at the University of Vermont. Writing with a smooth style and in a concise, entertaining manner, Alex Stewart successfully gives the reader an in-depth look at big band jazz as it is in contemporary New York City.
Whether you are a jazz fan, or just love...
(Non-Fiction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Marshal Royal: Jazz Survivor by Marshal Royal with Claire P. Gordon
|
Marshal Royal was the heart of the saxophone in the Count Basie Orchestra for twenty years from the 1950s to the 1960s. He was among the jazz giants and a major pioneer in West Coast jazz.
MARSHAL ROYAL: JAZZ SURVIVOR is the story of West Coast big band jazz, and Royal's major role in it. On his own, Royal...
(Autobiography)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Master Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos, Voume 4 (with CD) by Various Artists
|
This is a remarkable collection of jazz guitar solos. There are ten internationally-known and respected jazz guitarists represented. The jazz guitar artists are Bruce Arnold, Sheryl Bailey, Mark Boling, Steve Cardenas, Corey Christiansen, Vic Juris, Larry Koonse, Bruce Saunders, John Stowell, and Anthony Wilson.
Websites, photos, and factual data on each guitarist is given. The reader will discover many facts...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay Presents Buscarino Players in Concert (DVD) by Buscarino Players
|
The Buscarino players are Gene Bertoncini, Ron Afiff, Barry Greene, and Corey Christiansen. MEL BAY PRESENTS BUSCARINO PLAYERS IN CONCERT captures the talents of these gifted guitarists on film at the annual Buscarino Players Concert at the Long Island Guitar Show during May of 2002. Each player performs on a hand-crafted guitar built by John Buscarino. ...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay's Complete Jazz Trumpet Book by William Bay
|
William Bay is one of Mel Bay Publication's most prolific authors. His Complete Jazz Trumpet Book is quite possibly one of his finest works yet. This one-stop-shop contains all the exercises needed to learn jazz trumpet.
The purpose of this book is to help the trumpet player to read and interpret jazz music. As such, Bay succeeds brilliantly. The chord...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay's Complete Traditional Holiday Season Fake Book by Frank Levin
|
Frank Levin has put together a grand collection in his holiday season fake book, and it is an invaluable reference for musicians. It has sections on various topics including how the fake book is organized for easy reference and performance, song texts, lead sheets, instructions for the novice arranger, and other topics. Also included are sections on...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay's Easy Way To Guitar A by Mel Bay
|
MEL BAY'S EASY WAY TO GUITAR A is a nice learning manual for those wanting to become guitarists. Well-illustrated, the guides to correctly holding the guitar and placement of fingers is excellent. An introduction to music and notes, and related material is covered for the beginner. Good reference work to have in the early stages of learning...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay's Getting Into Jazz Fusion Guitar by Scott Miller
|
For those interested in learning to perform and play well the techniques of jazz fusion guitar, Scott Miller's new instruction book titled MEL BAY'S GETTING INTO JAZZ FUSION GUITAR will prove to be an enjoyable learning adventure. Clearly written and with insightful approaches, it makes what could be a difficult learning situation easy and entertaining. Music theory...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
Mel Bay's Getting Into Jazz Guitar by Jackie King
|
If you have heard Jackie King perform on guitar, you know he has a unique jazz sound. In his book, MEL BAY'S GETTING INTO JAZZ GUITAR, you will discover techniques for playing jazz guitar given in clear illustrations by King. A 76 track CD comes with the book, and it is a solid, hands-on reference to...
(Musical Instruction)
|
| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
|
JazzReview.com
