Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland

by Paul de Barros

In a world dominated by men, Marian McPartland distinguished herself as one of the greatest jazz pianists of her age 


Born in the UK as Margaret Marian Turner, Marian McPartland learned to play classical piano, but was passionately attracted to the rhythms of American jazz. Entertaining troops in WWII Europe, she met her future husband, Jimmy McPartland, a cocky young trumpet player who was the protege of the great Bix Beiderbecke. They were married and, together, they made jazz history. At first, Marian played second fiddle to Jimmy in Chicago, but when they moved to New York, Marian and her trio took up residence at the famous Hickory House where she thrilled the crowds from her perch on a stage in the middle of large oval bar. From there she went on to triumphs at places like the Montreaux Jazz Festival.  Possibly, her greatest accomplishment was the creation of NPR's long-running show Piano Jazz.
 
More than the life story of one of our greatest artists, Shall We Play That One Together? chronicles an age when jazz was a vital art form. Just as inviting as Marian's signature question on Piano Jazz, Shall We Play That One Together? is an invitation to readers everywhere to listen to the score of a bygone age.

Genres: Music, Biography, Jazz

496 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2012

About the author

Paul de Barros was born in 1946 in California and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967. Since 1970 he has divided his time between the Cariboo region of B.C. and Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Brent]

Seeking ARC or galley, from a positive review in Publisher's Weekly for July 23, 2012. I loved listening - ands learning - from Marian McPartland's program Piano Jazz on NPR for, um, decades...

[Ella Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of really insightful information, but it was a little too thorough for me. Some of the information was interesting, but a lot felt extraneous. I got a bit tired of it by the end as it is pretty long. I'm still glad I read it though because I learned a lot about this incredible person!

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read and a thorough overview of a unique life. The author has a definite affinity for Marian but also is quite unwilling to hide the darker elements of her character. Her off and on long marriage to Trumpet player Jimmy Mcpartland ( She was a War bride as the two met in Belgium in 1944)is a rollercoaster of Joy Sadness Pain Heartbreak and mutual understanding.

[Christopher Heaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read. If I had known it was going to be this good, I wouldn't have let it sit on my shelf for so long. Well written, well researched & surprisingly interesting. One of the best jazz biographies I've ever read.