The Horn is somewhat based on Charlie Parker's life with elements of Lester Young's life added.
Archie Shepp wrote a revealing forward to the 1987 edition: “I even half expect that somewhere along the path, a white writer will reveal his ‘whiteness.’ I still haven’t figured out (and think it his to his credit and skill as a writer) whether Mr. Holmes is a ‘member’ or not -- perhaps like Hale Smith, he is black because the notes he writes are black—in this case, the words are black, and he is therefore a black writer."
Hampton Hawes' Raise Up Off Me, is a must-read that hasn't been mentioned yet. And if you haven't checked out Ted Gioia's recent substack 2-parter on Dupree Bolton, you should.
If you haven’t already you should definitely read “Beneath the Underdog” by Charles Mingus. It’s a kick. He talks about the jazz scene in Los Angeles, playing with Charlie Parker, and kinky sex, among other things.
Just a quick story before I dig out my jazz books. In 1989 I worked in a bookstore on Madison Ave and E 85 th street. One day I answered the phone and a woman called saying she was the Baroness of Weehawken. I assumed it was a prank call. She called back. I hung up.
When my boss came back I told him some nut kept calling g saying she was the Baroness of Weehawken. My boss said Oh, the Baroness called? I went oh shit.
Didn't she take care of Charlie Parker in his last days at the Stanhope?
I later apologized to the Baroness when I finally met her. Who knew?
Hi there, I would suggest But Beautiful by Geoff Dyer. He takes the reader into a world like few others.
Gallope
The Musician as Philosopher, Michael Galloper
Hey Tosh! This probably won't be of any use at all...but it is mine! https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781900152792/Points-Departure-Essays-Modern-Jazz-1900152797/plp
The Horn is somewhat based on Charlie Parker's life with elements of Lester Young's life added.
Archie Shepp wrote a revealing forward to the 1987 edition: “I even half expect that somewhere along the path, a white writer will reveal his ‘whiteness.’ I still haven’t figured out (and think it his to his credit and skill as a writer) whether Mr. Holmes is a ‘member’ or not -- perhaps like Hale Smith, he is black because the notes he writes are black—in this case, the words are black, and he is therefore a black writer."
Blues and the Poetic Spirit by Paul Garon and John Clellon Holmes novel The Horn are worth reading.
Hampton Hawes' Raise Up Off Me, is a must-read that hasn't been mentioned yet. And if you haven't checked out Ted Gioia's recent substack 2-parter on Dupree Bolton, you should.
“Reading jazz”.
Meltzer bit. Book he edited.
If you haven’t already you should definitely read “Beneath the Underdog” by Charles Mingus. It’s a kick. He talks about the jazz scene in Los Angeles, playing with Charlie Parker, and kinky sex, among other things.
Just a quick story before I dig out my jazz books. In 1989 I worked in a bookstore on Madison Ave and E 85 th street. One day I answered the phone and a woman called saying she was the Baroness of Weehawken. I assumed it was a prank call. She called back. I hung up.
When my boss came back I told him some nut kept calling g saying she was the Baroness of Weehawken. My boss said Oh, the Baroness called? I went oh shit.
Didn't she take care of Charlie Parker in his last days at the Stanhope?
I later apologized to the Baroness when I finally met her. Who knew?
Art Pepper's autobiography, whatever you can find about postwar Bronzeville, Jim Dawson's bio of Big Jay McNeely, Nervous Man Nervous.
I'm sure you know of Really the Blues, by Mezz Mezrow:
https://www.nyrb.com/products/really-the-blues
Hi Tosh
I luv your writings and I just finished Duncan Hannah’s book thanks to you. My son is now reading it.
Im not sure if Jane feather would have any info on Parker. Just a thought. Thank you for the writings!