Jazz Masters Of New Orleans

Macmillan Jazz Masters Series

by Martin T. Williams

O boy, what a beautiful reading... I know the book is quite old now, but such a loving and (IMHO) subtle and intelligent writing on Henry Red Allen, Bunk Johnson, Sidney Bechet or Zutty Singleton is very much appreciated by this jazz fan... I know enough about the New Orleans jazz tradition to appreciate this book, but I've learned a lot - Did you know why the drummers of New Orleans jazz have always been underrecorded? Did you know that Orson Welles was a big New Orleans jazz fan who even had a hand in the birth of dixieland revival? Did you know how misunderstud Bunk Johnson was even among those who idolised him (maybe even ESPECIALLY among them)? Did you know what was Sidney Bechet's approach to collective and individual jazz/music improvisation and arrangement? Students of more general (American, African-American, musical) history might also find this book very much intriguing. Untill you hear otherwise from someone more informed, this is a classic in my book. Jazz book. BTW, more recent Martin Williams books might contain this same material, but I wouldn't know that, this is his first work that dropped in my lap.

287 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1967

Reviews

[Rickeclectic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed historical writing on many key musicians in early New Orleans jazz. Many you may never have heard of, but each played their part. Good information on Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton and others that made up the core of what became dixieland jazz and the foundation of almost all jazz.

[Tom Woodsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic snapshot of a wonderful musical era. Love the Monk stories.