Jazz From Detroit

by Mark Stryker

Jazz from Detroit explores the city’s pivotal role in shaping the course of modern and contemporary jazz. With more than two dozen in-depth profiles of remarkable Detroit-bred musicians, complemented by a generous selection of photographs, Mark Stryker makes Detroit jazz come alive as he draws out significant connections between the players, eras, styles, and Detroit’s distinctive history.

Stryker’s story starts in the 1940s and ’50s, when the auto industry created a thriving black working and middle class in Detroit that supported a vibrant nightlife, and exceptional public school music programs and mentors in the community like pianist Barry Harris transformed the city into a jazz juggernaut. This golden age nurtured many legendary musicians—Hank, Thad, and Elvin Jones, Gerald Wilson, Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Donald Byrd, Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Joe Henderson, and others. As the city’s fortunes change, Stryker turns his spotlight toward often overlooked but prescient musician-run cooperatives and self-determination groups of the 1960s and ’70s, such as the Strata Corporation and Tribe. In more recent decades, the city’s culture of mentorship, embodied by trumpeter and teacher Marcus Belgrave, ensured that Detroit continued to incubate world-class talent; Belgrave protégés like Geri Allen, Kenny Garrett, Robert Hurst, Regina Carter, Gerald Cleaver, and Karriem Riggins helped define contemporary jazz. The resilience of Detroit’s jazz tradition provides a powerful symbol of the city’s lasting cultural influence.

Stryker’s 21 years as an arts reporter and critic at the Detroit Free Press are evident in his vivid storytelling and insightful criticism. Jazz from Detroit will appeal to jazz aficionados, casual fans, and anyone interested in the vibrant and complex history of cultural life in Detroit.

 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Jazz, Biography, History

358 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2019

Reviews

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

The profiles are excellent and the musical analysis and critiques are exactly what one would hope for from a professional jazz critic. The level of musical talent emanating from Detroit is truly astounding, but much of the action takes place in New York, Los Angeles, and other areas outside Detroit. I would've liked a little more local history/local color and some maps to more firmly ground the reader in the Motor City, but these are international jazz stars, so I can see how staying within the borders would've been challenging for Mr. Stryker, who came up with a great concept and produced a fine product.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend treating this as a reference book as opposed to something you'd read straight through. It's a bit dull going from mini-bio to mini-bio, though there's a lot of valuable information here. Stryker performed a public service in putting out this book, which makes clear just how important Detroit is to jazz history. It also puts the spotlight on lots of musicians who deserve a wider audience.

[Peter P. Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark should have come to Detroit before 1995 when all the people he"interviewed still lived here and were getting their"chops.

Teddy Harris, Beans Bowels, Roy Brooks, Donald Walden and Lawrence Williams were still here and with detailed knowledge of Detroit's musical history.
Note to my dear friend,Rudi, it's too bad that you didn't add that the"white" girl rescued Elvin from sleeping in all-night movie houses when he was homeless.

[Natalie Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

JAZZ FROM DETROIT, written by my friend, Mark Stryker is best read slowly, one chapter at a time with a glass of red wine, and taking time to listen to examples from all the CDs he shares. I created Spotify lists for each of the artists in the book. It is some of the best jazz I've heard. Mark's writing is beautiful, reflective, witty, and smart. You'll finish feeling like you really a part of Detroit's historic jazz scene.

[Tad Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent companion to Before Motown, by Lars Bjorn and Jim Gallert, and these two books made me a fan of Detroit Jazz. Stryker gives sensitive, knowledgeable and incisive profiles of many of the greatest musicians to come out of this great music town. An important addition to any jazz library.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and structured, the artist profiles/interviews are entertaining and insightful. Highly worth reading if the subject at all interests you. And the subject is likely to interest many jazz enthusiasts, considering the number of prominent musicians from Detroit.