NEW YORK IS NOW! THE NEW WAVE OF FREE JAZZ is an exciting, well-written look at the free jazz movement in New York. It is written by Phil Freeman, the man who knows the movement, became involved in its development, and witnessed it grow into the huge following it has today. The photos of jazz musicians performing by Susan O"Connor are excellent. This book will shock some readers with its revelations about free jazz and please many others. It is a perceptive look at what is called, free jazz.

The book also contains two highly interesting appendix titles: "Recommended Listenings" (examples: Fred Anderson, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Whit Dickey, Die Like A Dog Quartet, Mat Maneri, Joe Morris, Jemeel Moondoc, Bunny Murray, Matthew Shipp, Cecil Taylor, David S. Ware, among many others) and "Contacts."

From the authors opening chapters "What Happened To Me" and "History Like Most Things Is Subjective" through the remainder of the book there is a sense of enjoyment shared with the reading public concerning free jazz. The chapter titles are self-explanatory and helpful references such as "David S. Ware: Soul Sonic Force" "Matthew Ship: Systems Within Systems" and "Putting On A Show For The People" among other chapters and each chapter makes for thoughtful analysis. One of the most interesting chapters is "Lies Jazz Critics Told Me and well-worth the readers' time to read it as it pulls no punches and details a lot of crucial information.

An interesting point is made and shared regarding how free jazz originated as a rebellion against mainstream jazz and developed into a remarkable tradition in its own right. During the 1990s free jazz captured a large share of the alternative rock audience introducing that audience to the expressions of free jazz.

This is a splendid reference book to have in your collection for in addition to excellent writing it contains many photographs of the musicians actively involved in free jazz such as Joe Morris on guitar Daniel Carter on saxophone Mat Maneri on violin David S. Ware on saxophone the gifted Jason Hwang performing on violin Billy Bang on violin William Parker on bass among others. On page 16 there is a great photo of Cecil Taylor performing at his piano.

Written in a pleasant style this book is like sitting down at lunch with a good friend and enjoying a friendly discussion! There will be much new material and facts that will surprise the reader about free jazz and that too is the subtle charm of NEW YORK IS NOW! THE NEW WAVE OF FREE JAZZ.'NEW YORK IS NOW! THE NEW WAVE OF FREE JAZZ is an exciting, well-written look at the free jazz movement in New York. It is written by Phil Freeman, the man who knows the movement, became involved in its development, and witnessed it grow into the huge following it has today. The photos of jazz musicians performing by Susan O"Connor are excellent.