Interviews with authors of the 12 nominees in two JJA Books of the Year (2023) categories are now being posted at episodes of The Buzz: The JJA Podcast, starting with Steven Isoardi speaking about pianist Horace Tapscott, subject of his book The Dark Tree, with JJA Book Committee chair Bob Blumenthal. Discussions with Con Chapman about jazz in Kansas City, with Stephanie Stein Crease about her biography of Chick Webb, with Aaron Cohen about co-authoring Ramsey Lewis’ autobiography, and with Walter Van De Leur about his study Jazz and Death are coming soon, with Brad Stone and Fiona Ross also being interviewers.
Jazz Journalists Association has launched its annual Jazz Awards season with announcement of 12 nominees and nine Honorable Mentions in two categories of Book of the Year (2023) Awards. Winners of the “Best Biography/Autobiography Award” and “Best Book of History, Criticism, Culture Award” will be determined by voting of the JJA’s approximately 250 international active members.
Nominees in most Jazz Awards categories are determined through a open-to-members nomination process, winners coming from second-stage voting. Book Award nominees screened by the committee and announced in advance to afford JJA voters time to read before voting begins (in early March).
“The number of quality jazz and jazz-related books published in 2023 was overwhelming,” says Bob Blumenthal, JJA Board member and Chair of the six-member committee that met monthly to discuss and review current titles for advancement as finalists in the organization’s celebrations of excellence in jazz and jazz journalism, now in its 28th year.
The Book Award nominees In the category Biography/Autobiography
Carmen Fields, Goin’ Back To T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band (University of Oklahoma Press)
Ramsey Lewis with Aaron Cohen, Gentlemen of Jazz: A Life in Music (Blackstone Publishing) Ben
Markley, Cedar: The Life and Music of Cedar Walton (University of North Texas Press)
Gerry Mulligan with Ken Poston, Being Gerry Mulligan: My Life in Music (Rowan & Littlefield)
Stephanie Stein, Rhythm Man: Chick Webb And The Beat That Changed America (Oxford University Press)
Henry Threadgill and Brent Hayes Edwards, Easily Slip Into Another World: A Life In Music (Penguin Random House)
The Book Award nominees In the category History/Criticism/Culture:
Philip Arneill, Tokyo Jazz Joints (Kehrer Verlag)
Cisco Bradley, The Williamsburg Avant-Garde: Experimental Music And The Sound of the Brooklyn
Waterfront (Duke University Press)
Con Chapman, Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good (Equinox)
Farah Jasmine Griffin, In Search of a Beautiful Freedom (Norton)
Steven L. Isoardi, The Dark Tree: Jazz And The Community Arts In Los Angeles (Duke University
Press)
Walter van de Leur, Jazz And Death: Reception, Rituals and Representations (Routledge)
Blumenthal added, “We also identified nine additional titles worthy of Honorable Mentions. Both the diversity in subject matter, publishers and format left committee members with a growing appreciation of the authors who make such a deep commitment to their projects, and the publishers who support them.” Committee members annotated those books they particularly favored.
Honorable Mentions
Ahmed Abdullah with Louis Reyes Rivera, A Strange Celestial Road (Artbook) A sprawling biography of trumpeter Abdullah, touching not only on his years as a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra but also dealing with the myriad of economic and social issues and challenges that faced and continue to face African-American musicians. – Bob Blumenthal
Clifford Allen, Singularity Codex: Matthew Shipp On Rogueart (Rogueart) An unusual and important examination of pianist Shipp’s recordings, from the perspective of a record label aligned with his ideals. – Eugene Holley, Jr.
Mark Cantor, The Soundies: A History and Catalog of Jukebox Film Shorts of the 1940s (McFarland Books) A painstakingly researched overview of more than 1,800 short musical films created for video jukeboxes of the era, with complete listings of performers and contemporary reviews. The most comprehensive resource for these historic seldom-seen media. – Todd S. Jenkins
Steven A. Cerra, Gerry Mulligan: Writings On A Jazz Original (Amazon+) Assiduously compiled articles, interviews and liner notes from five decades. One of three books celebrating Mulligan this year, all of which are discussed on “The Buzz”. – Leslie Lytton Fuller
Dave Chisholm, Miles Davis And The Search For The Sound (Simon & Schuster) Following his exploration of the life and legacy of Charlie Parker, “Chasin’ the Bird,” graphic novelist (and Eastman jazz trumpet alum) Chisholm’s highly anticipated next volume ripples with brilliant color and insight. – Leslie Lynton Fuller
Arlette Hovinga, How To Build Relationships In The Music Industry (Roman and Littlefield) Many talented performers and composers are not prepared to negotiate the business side of music. Hovinga provides a necessary guide, with a particular focus on building the relationships that are a critical part of any business, particularly for those who must operate as independent contractors relying on self-promotion. – Brad Stone
Jonathan Leal, Dreams In Double Time: On Race, Freedom And Bebop (Duke University Press) A fascinating exploration of bebop’s impact on three relatively unknown voices – Nisei multi-instrumentalist James Araki, Chicano poet and critic Raú Salinas and Afro-Chinese American drummer Harold Wing. A compelling and highly relevant read. – Fiona Ross
Mike and Dorothy Longo with Joscelyn Duffy, The Rhythm Of Unity: A Jazz Musician’s Lifelong Journey Beyond Black And White (Redwood Publishing) After losing Mike Longo during the Covid pandemic, his wife Dorothy compiled this biography by drawing upon the stories and anecdotes he left, with a particular focus on his long association with Dizzy Gillespie and his own extensive discography. The book should bolster the perception of one of the premier, if often unheralded, pianists of his generation. – Brad Stone
Brad Mehldau, Formation: Building A Personal Canon, Part 1 (Equinox) The pianist recounts his evolution from a “young lion” in 1990s New York to a seasoned, world-class musician. A penetrating memoir. – Eugene Holley, Jr.
