The Melody Lingers On ... An Autobiography - The unabashed memoirs of Walt Levinsky
by Walt Levinsky

As a musician, Levinsky was always praised for his singularly rich tone; that same quality informs his writing. He tells his life-story with style, intelligence and wit, and in telling it might almost be telling the story of an entire generation of musicians—a generation whose coming of age was both interrupted and also accelerated first by the war and then by the virtual disappearance of the market for both jazz and adult popular music. Talented as he was, Levinsky's story can't help but impress the role of sheer luck in the success of any popular or jazz musician. As a young man on the make, Levinsky made his way through an apprenticeship in a "panic" band before being noticed by Tommy Dorsey; but that gig was all too soon ended by military conscription—an experience that taught him how often making music meant breaking lots of rules. In time Levinsky proved himself as not only as a player but also as an arranger, conductor, composer and scorer of movies and television broadcasts. He is nevertheless free from media puff and self-adulation, ready always to laugh at himself. Levinsky doesn't so much "linger" on the past as compel it into form. This autobiography might well prove his boldest composition of all.
– Michael Coyle

Warm, humorous, and insightful, Walt Levinsky’s candid account of the big band, studio, and entertainment worlds will hold and enlighten the reader. It’s a unique reflection and perspective on a world that encompassed the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Leonard Bernstein, Doc Severinsen, Lionel Hampton, Liza Minnelli, Benny Goodman, Steve Allen, Artie Shaw, and a host of other popular and not so popular personalities. $18 plus 4 units shipping.

price: $18 + 16 ozs. shipping

UPC: 786497020300
ISBN: 1-881993-42-6

Death of a Bebop Wife
by Grange (Lady Haig) Rutan

This is the compelling life story of pianist Al Haig, one of the Jazz greats in the vanguard of the Bebop revolution.
Over 15 years in the making, this is the uncomfortable and often horrifying story of a Jazz life as researched and told by a wife who survived an experience that left many devastated, and, in one case, dead. In a narrative as unique as the subject itself, Grange (Haig) Rutan of Montclair, NJ, boldly tells all in a cathartic account of Al Haig's life that is as unflinching as it is objective, leaving the reader able to experience from an omnipresent vantage point the humor, triumphs, tragedies, and the many sides and contradictions of Al Haig.

QUOTES:
"The Lady knows!"
Dan Morgenstern - Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers

"I thought I knew all about Al Haig, and this page-turner tells it all. To me, Al Haig was one of the best on jazz piano, and if Diz and Bird say so, who am I to disagree?"
Phil Urso - veteran jazz artist

price $34 plus 28ozs for shipping.

ISBN: 1-881993-44-2 upc: 7864970214606

THE EBERLE NAMED RAY
by Jan Eberle

The Ray Eberle story as told by his daughter. Here is a loving but realistic account of the life of one of America's best known big band singers. From big bands to big living, and a supporting cast of characters that includes Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke, The Dorseys, Marion Hutton, Paula Kelly, and many other personalities of The Big Band Era.
Indexed and with dozens of photos from the family album.
A wonderful read for those who did The Lindy and/or swooned, fans of the big bands, or for those looking for a gentle but candid read.
$12 plus 12 ozs shipping.

Memoirs of a Musical "Pesty Mystic"- or - From the Ashcan to the Ashram and Back Again . . .
by Narada Burton Greene

Tales and adventures from one of the original cast members of the '60s free jazz movement. Told as only Burton Greene could tell it, here's a look at life and the music through the unique mind of an irrepressible spirit. $18 plus 12 ozs shipping.

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Playing It By Ear: An Autobiography with concentration on The Woody Herman Orchestra and the New York Jazz Scene in the '40s and '50s.

by John LaPorta

 

Legendary performer and Jazz educator John LaPorta tells his life story in Jazz, concentrating on both performance and his pivotal place in the development of Jazz education in the United States. $18 plus 12 ozs shipping.

 

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Turning Corners: The Life and Music of Leroy Jenkins

by Carl E. Baugher

Many consider Leroy Jenkins to be the leading violinist of the Post Bop, creative improvising music revolution. This study traces Jenkins' life journey in music from the church to the concert hall and provides an in-depth analysis of his work along with a complete discography. $13 plus 8 ozs shipping.

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Buddy Bolden Says

by E. W. Russell

A factional account of the life and times of Buddy Bolden, the legendary first King of Jazz. It is also a chronicle of race, sex, and the uncomfortable realities of turn of the century New Orleans. Evocative of the best of American realism and a grippingly good story. $13 plus 8 ozs shipping.

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AKA Doc: The Oral History of a New Orleans Street Musician

Told by James May (a.k.a. Doc Saxtrum) to Geoffrey & Ryan Edwards

On the surface, this is a simple story of a man's journey from here to there. It is also a story about art and entertainment in 20th century America told without bitterness or rancor, but also without sidestepping its realities. In simplicity there is truth. (CD included) $15 plus 12 ozs for shipping.

This is the second and greatly expanded edition of Robert Campbell's definitive look at the recorded works of Sun Ra. This massive book, 850 pages, chronicles, through discography and commentary, the life and recordings of Sun Ra. It includes separate indexes for albums/cds, commercial films/videos, musicians, Saturn matrix & serial numbers, and titles.

This will remain the essential reference of one of the Twentieth Century's most legendary musical personalities well into the 21st century. $60 plus shipping.

This book counts for 40 ozs.

American Pop from Minstrel to Mojo: On Record 1893-1956
by Allen Lowe

Musician and historian Allen Lowe has studied over 60 years of recordings while tracing the various roots and developments of American popular music. Here are the characters and circumstances of the popular musics that were and became country, blues, ragtime, jazz, swing, dance, and pop. Important and representative recordings and artists are featured, providing a concise and engaging progression. $18 plus shipping.

LEEWAY: Lee Morgan Discography

by Roger Wernboe

Roger Wernboe has done Jazz scholars, fans, and collectors a great favor. Thanks to his efforts, we finally have, 25 years after Lee Morgan's untimely death, a comprehensive & definititive discography for the legendary and influential trumpeter. All known sessions and releases are described here in full: all the dates, places, titles, & personnel, all together in an easily referenced format. $13 plus shipping.

A Flat Tire On My Ass, the Autobiography of Errol Parker

A remarkable tale of an artist as antihero.
Here is an existential journey through the absurd world of the artist, his adventures filled with the extremes of frustration and elation. From memories of growing up in North Africa, to his first forays in the art world as a sculptor in post-war France, to the successful European recording career that his musical abilities brought him, Errol Parker brings us to his decision to turn his back on all that and forge a new identity. Driven by a passion to pursue his individuality in improvised music, he changed his name and moved to the U.S., birthplace of Jazz, land of opportunity and individualism.
Today, Errol Parker remains one of the most original Jazz stylists, critically acclaimed, but still relatively overlooked by the general public. His accounts, observations, and journeys are as unique and boldly stated as is his music. A narrative that solicits both empathy and hilarity, this is an inside look at an outsider's experiences in Jazz as he discovers and shapes a new style of music out of the African-American Tradition. Above all, this is a highly entertaining read from start to finish. $15 plus shipping.

The Cadence All Years Index

by Tom Lord.

A complete cross-index for the first twenty-four years of Cadence Magazine. 444 pages, over 38,000 entries. $29 plus postage. See also Cadence Back Issues.

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The Jazz Discography, by Tom Lord

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