Myself Among Others: A Life In Music

by George Wein, Nate Chinen

George Wein, who pioneered the idea of bringing jazz to people beyond the club circuit, looks back on his long career and unforgettably describes his relationships -- sometimes smooth, sometimes tempestuous -- with the great figures he's known: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis, among many, many others. Beginning in 1950 with the opening of his legendary Boston club Storyville, Wein presented jazz in a setting that respected both the musicians and the audience while still earning a profit. Since its founding in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival has always reflected Wein's vision and grit. Wein opened up a whole new venue to musicians, attracting music immortals as well as aspiring young artists to his outdoor stage. Over the years, Newport became synonymous with jazz festivals in the United States, and it has become the model for similar events worldwide.Through his work, George Wein has expanded the audience for jazz more than anyone else living today, and has received France's Legion d'Honneur and numerous other awards. Myself Among Others illuminates the personalities, legends and performances of jazz's greatest era.

Genres: Music, Biography

576 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Linda Yohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Wein's life is a parallel of the development of modern jazz, folk music and more. His recollections of the trends as they occurred are illustrative. He was also the father of our modern outdoor music festival. His ideas for scheduling, marketing and working with corporations for artistic ventures and the culture are foundational. And he's a really nice guy. He "paid his dues" and truly appreciated his life. A long, but worthy American music book, especially if you love jazz.

[Victor Caamaño · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should start by saying I worked for George Wein 1980-1983. I was a small cog in the big machine but I have very fond memories of that time. The book captures George well. His relationship with the various musicians was richly told. This is a slice of musical history. Thank you George.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those interested in the history and development of jazz, this book contains some interesting stories that no one else could tell. The early years of Wein's career are given considerably more space than the later and this is probably fine, although it seems likely there are a lot of interesting stories from recent years that he could have discussed. Some really simple errors of fact and misspellings are evidence that the publishing world needs better editors and proofreaders. The book's style is a bit of a patchwork. It reads as if it were written at several different times, almost by several different people who weren't aware of what the others had done. I suppose this might make it easier for those who wish to pick it up and start anywhere, but straight-through readers may find it kind of shallow.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Wein has had an amazing life. As the founder/producer of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, among many others, he has known all of the great players in the jazz world. His autobiography could be read as a history of jazz in the second half of the 20th century. Wein is a pretty fair pianist himself, and a lifelong jazz fan. Folk music doesn't get nearly as much attention, but that's fine because Wein's stories of the great names in jazz, Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, Davis, and many others are captivating.