Terrific Book

[jhatpro]

One of the best books ever on early jazz is "Hear Me Talkin' to Ya," edited by Nat Shapiro and Nat Hentoff. It contains scores of recollections from players active from the early 1900s through 1955.

What makes it exceptional is that the editors present only the comments of the musicians without the kind of invasive copy that some editors/authors feel obligated to include.

The result is priceless and includes material from the greats that everyone remembers but also many other players largely forgotten. People like Adrian Rollini, Woodie Walder, Buck Washington. Ward Pinkett and dozens of others

You'll "hear" players talk about what it was like playing and surviving when jazz was young and could be heard live and round the clock in bars and dance halls across America. Black musicians talk about needing a police escort to get to and from bandstands in the South. There are recollections about the rise, the demise and the rebirth of Dixieland. There are contributios from players who were there when West Coast jazz was born. And much more.

The book is widely available at public libraries and used book dealers like AbeBooks.com, and new book sellers like Amazon.com.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[tomba51]

Thanks for that info! Sounds fascinating, I just downloaded it for my Kindle.
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Tom Barreca

[jhatpro]

I have it on my K, too! Print's getting too damn small on real books for me!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[kehaulani]

LOL, nothing like being on the cutting edge. Book's been out for over half a century.

But . . uh . . I remember reading it when it first came out.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[jhatpro]

The older I get the more I find that I missed.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Jim19043]

I picked up a used copy of the Shapiro-Hentoff book a couple of weeks ago, along with Nat Hentoff's collection of essays, interviews and recollections titled "At the Jazz Band Ball: 60 Years on the Jazz Scene." The latter book was published in 2010.
_________________
Jim19043
1998 Bach Strad L180S72
GR 3MX