Members of the JJA’s Book Awards committee penned these descriptions of the Honorable Mentions.
Gretchen L. Carlson, IMPROVISING THE SCORE: RETHINKING MODERN FILM MUSIC THROUGH JAZZ
(University Press of Mississippi) An insightful, in-depth analysis of the use of jazz styles and techniques in crafting contemporary film scores that conform to the director’s vision and provide room for musicians to explore. — Todd Jenkins
Terri Lyne Carrington, NEW STANDARDS: 101 LEAD SHEETS BY WOMEN COMPOSERS
(Berklee Press) A much overdue, ground-breaking collection of lead sheets from women composers from 1922 to 2021 with an inspired forward by Daphne Brooks. The first publication from the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, this vital collection includes legacy composers such as Lil Hardin Armstrong, Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby along with such contemporaries as Cecile McLorin Salvant, Nubya Garcia, and many more.– Fiona Ross
Dave Chisholm, ENTER THE BLUE
(Z2 Comics) Author/illustrator Chisholm aims to create what he describes as an alternate dimension created by music. With the use of blue ink washes and a mystical and whimsical style, he delivers an Orpheus-like tale that mixes Kabbalah and the history of Blue Note Records. — Leslie Lytton Fuller
Mark Christman, Celeste DiNucci and Anthony Elmes, editors, MILFORD GRAVES: A MIND-BODY DEAL
(Inventory Press/Ars Nova Workshop) A beautifully produced catalogue for an exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Contemporary Art, including an array of the late percussionist’s essays, visual art, archival photographs, biological and horticultural research, plus commentary by several notable contributors. Graves’ story is told in a most appropriate manner, as collage. — Bob Blumenthal
T. J. English, DANGEROUS RHYTHMS: JAZZ AND THE UNDERWORLD
(William Morrow) A careening, time-traveling taxi ride through the New Orleans and Kansas City club scenes with a name dropping wised-up guide. While many will find the stories involving Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra familiar, newer fans may be shocked by the extra-musical challenges facing artists performing their craft. — Leslie Lytton Fuller
Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach with Kurt Renker, RUMINATIONS & REFLECTIONS: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF DAVE LIEBMAN AND RICHIE BEIRACH
(Cymbal Press) Enjoyable conversations between the longtime collaborators about their lives and careers, their views on the musicians they played with and the music business. Also included are “Letters to the Masters” that they have written, lectures aimed at listeners and students, and a listening guide to their recordings. — Brad Stone
Rick Lopez,THE SAM RIVERS SESSIONOGRAPHY
Lopez expands our notion of discography through the inclusion of interviews with the legendary multi-instrumentalist and others, photographs and other memorabilia. A labor of love that, thanks to technology, is designed as a work in progress, but already stands as an invaluable resource on a multifaceted giant and those he touched. — Bob Blumenthal
Jason Miles, THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF JASON MILES: A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY
(Book Writing Cube) Fascinating memoirs of the career of a keyboardist, synthesist, programmer and session musician who has worked with Miles Davis, Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack and many others. Told in an open, honest, conversational style from an extraordinary memory bank of concerts, recording sessions and hangs. — Brad Stone
James A. Vedda, YOU’VED GOT TO HEAR THIS: UNTOLD STORIES OF JAZZ MUSICIANS
(self- published) A short, charming collection of bios of musicians who are not household names but have contributed to the development of jazz as performers and educators, quiet laborers who help keep the music alive and growing and are worthy of respect. — Todd Jenkins
Scott Yanow, LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A JAZZ JOURNALIST: MY JAZZ MEMOIRS
(Amazon Pro-Hub) An insightful and informative exploration of the prolific career of journalist Yanow from his introduction to syncopation through a clapping contest to his favorite interviews with legends Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea and Maynard Ferguson. The book also includes an extensive recommended list of recordings, films and books through six inspired appendices. — Fiona Ross
