What do you think?
Rate this book
Live At The Village Vanguard
George Schaefer - (reader review with a few additions)
Max Gordon is a name that will be familiar to lovers of jazz. Anyone who goes to New York City and loves jazz will almost inevitably wind up seeing someone perform live at the Village Vanguard. Many great artists like John Coltrane and Bill Evans have recorded performances there.
Gordon was the founder of this legendary club. In 1935, he found a little basement in Greenwich Village and then proceeded to make jazz history. All the greats like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, et al played there at one time or another. Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen also performed comedy at the Vanguard.
Max Gordon proves to be a very competent author in this book that recounts the history of the club. Gordon discusses the early struggles with getting liquor licenses or dealing with racial segregation. He includes a lot of great antecdotes of his meetings with many of these legends.
This book is surprisingly well written and entertaining. This chronicle of his life will be inspiring and educational. Max Gordon has an important story to tell. Jazz is one of America's greatest exports. Max Gordon played a major role in its development. I strongly recommend this book for any fan of jazz.
The Village Vanguard is celebrating it's 80TH Anniversary this year -- 2015 -- right where Max Gordon first opened the door on February 22, 1935.
Max Gordon is a name that will be familiar to lovers of jazz. Anyone who goes to New York City and loves jazz will almost inevitably wind up seeing someone perform live at the Village Vanguard. Many great artists like John Coltrane and Bill Evans have recorded performances there.
Gordon was the founder of this legendary club. In 1935, he found a little basement in Greenwich Village and then proceeded to make jazz history. All the greats like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, et al played there at one time or another. Lenny Bruce and Woody Allen also performed comedy at the Vanguard.
Max Gordon proves to be a very competent author in this book that recounts the history of the club. Gordon discusses the early struggles with getting liquor licenses or dealing with racial segregation. He includes a lot of great antecdotes of his meetings with many of these legends.
This book is surprisingly well written and entertaining. This chronicle of his life will be inspiring and educational. Max Gordon has an important story to tell. Jazz is one of America's greatest exports. Max Gordon played a major role in its development. I strongly recommend this book for any fan of jazz.
The Village Vanguard is celebrating it's 80TH Anniversary this year -- 2015 -- right where Max Gordon first opened the door on February 22, 1935.
- GenresMusicJazzAutobiography
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
5 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Max Gordon
61 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 7, 2015
Great stories.
January 23, 2019
Great stories and an insights on running the Vanguard. It did not connect with me personally, but could see the appeal to someone who has more history with the establishment.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews