Sidran's wonderfully crafted memoir revisits the many different facets of his life and career: As a performer, he has recorded with jazz icons (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Hendricks) and rock legends (Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Steve Miller); as a composer, he has scored films (Hoop Dreams); and as a scholar he has written books and articles on the history of jazz and black music in America. With a charismatic and informed voice, Sidran illuminates scenes from his childhood in Chicago and gives an inside view of the recording industry, also revealing an awareness of the history of Jewish contributions to jazz.
Ben Sidran: A Life in the Music
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Pianist Sidran describes playing in front of 12,000 "drunk, screaming teenagers" with his ear monitors turned off so that he hears neither fans nor music. As he muses--"I look down at my hands. I'm still playing"--he reflects on his longevity, on playing for fans much younger than himself, and on how blindness and deafness can be relative terms. All that in the prologue! A bit of a renaissance dude, Sidran writes, composes, records, and does radio commentary in his chosen HQ in exotic Madison, Wisconsin. Heck, when he worked for NPR in D.C., he commuted weekly from Madison; place matters to this engaging musician-raconteur. Having worked with stars as diverse as Steve Miller, Miles Davis, and Eric Clapton, Sidran remains a vital musical force, recording new music, performing as a sideman, and occasionally playing in front of touring acts when they play Madison's favorite venues. His literate autobiography reveals a pop musician in touch with the rest of the world--quite a distinction. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Sidran, jazz pianist-vocalist, record producer, radio and television commentator and interviewer, and author, chronicles his 30-plus years in the music industry, and what a wonderful ride it is! ... As a document of one man's personal and musical journey and as a work that presents the context for jazz in the late 20th century, this book is an unqualified winner. Highly recommended. (Library Journal )
Having recorded with stars as diverse as Steve Miller, Miles Davis, and Eric Clapton, Sidran remains a vital musical force, recording new music, performing as a sideman, and occasionally playing in front of touring acts when they play Madison's favorite venues. His literate autobiography reveals a pop musician in touch with the rest of the world—quite a distinction. (Booklist )
What I found most appealing about this well-written memoir is its honesty. I would reccomend this book to any person who is interested in the jazz and influences taking place during the turbulent decade of the 1960s. Sidran has a passion for life and for jazz and he willingly shares them with the readers. (Lee Prosser Jazz Review )
...Sidran, a bona fide musical legend here, writes well and has some great tales to tell. (Doug Moe The Capital Times )
Dr. Sidran's writing is tremendous. He holds our attention unabashed through his entire work. His views and philosophies offer a unique view and retrospective look from someone who has made the entire journey. Ben Sidran presents here an ultimately informative and entertaining story of his life in music. His talents as a writer combined with his experience as a musician give us a unique telling of a life well-lived. Exceptional writing from an experienced author, a unique musician, and a distinctive personality. (Scott Gotschall A Book Review )
Sidran eloquently chronicles his varied musical experiences as a pianist, songwriter, author, producer, journalist, and more......In vivid, pungent words, he describes his impression at first hearing and seeing Miller and Boz Scaggs performing as the Ardells at the University of Wisconsin in the early '60s. (Discoveries )
A Life in the Music is thoroughly engrossing read by a multifaceted artist. (Jim Newsom Port Folio Weekly )
There are a lot of reasons to read Ben Sidran's autobiography—and all of them are good. (William R. Wineke Wisconsin State Journal )
Jazz great's memior is almost as good as his rich life in music. Deserves a place on the bookshelves of jazz fans and anyone with an interest in the history of the American Jewish experience. (Jonathan Z. S. Pollack Madison )
Having recorded with stars as diverse as Steve Miller, Miles Davis, and Eric Clapton, Sidran remains a vital musical force, recording new music, performing as a sideman, and occasionally playing in front of touring acts when they play Madison's favorite venues. His literate autobiography reveals a pop musician in touch with the rest of the world—quite a distinction. (Booklist )
What I found most appealing about this well-written memoir is its honesty. I would reccomend this book to any person who is interested in the jazz and influences taking place during the turbulent decade of the 1960s. Sidran has a passion for life and for jazz and he willingly shares them with the readers. (Lee Prosser Jazz Review )
...Sidran, a bona fide musical legend here, writes well and has some great tales to tell. (Doug Moe The Capital Times )
Dr. Sidran's writing is tremendous. He holds our attention unabashed through his entire work. His views and philosophies offer a unique view and retrospective look from someone who has made the entire journey. Ben Sidran presents here an ultimately informative and entertaining story of his life in music. His talents as a writer combined with his experience as a musician give us a unique telling of a life well-lived. Exceptional writing from an experienced author, a unique musician, and a distinctive personality. (Scott Gotschall A Book Review )
Sidran eloquently chronicles his varied musical experiences as a pianist, songwriter, author, producer, journalist, and more......In vivid, pungent words, he describes his impression at first hearing and seeing Miller and Boz Scaggs performing as the Ardells at the University of Wisconsin in the early '60s. (Discoveries )
A Life in the Music is thoroughly engrossing read by a multifaceted artist. (Jim Newsom Port Folio Weekly )
There are a lot of reasons to read Ben Sidran's autobiography—and all of them are good. (William R. Wineke Wisconsin State Journal )
Jazz great's memior is almost as good as his rich life in music. Deserves a place on the bookshelves of jazz fans and anyone with an interest in the history of the American Jewish experience. (Jonathan Z. S. Pollack Madison )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Feelin' Ben's Groove,
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This review is from: Ben Sidran: A Life in the Music (Hardcover)
This is a great read. If you are a Ben Sidran fan you have been waiting for this for years, If you are a music fan you won't be able to put it down and if you like biographies in general you will be interested. Can't lose here! And as an extra special bonus the book comes with a great compilation CD that is worth the price of the book alone!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spend time with true jazz players, past and present!,
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This review is from: Ben Sidran: A Life in the Music (Hardcover)
Put on the enclosed CD, listen and read and get ready to marvel at the paths Ben Sidran's life has taken. His openness to experience has allowed him to meet, play with, interview and write about musicians from around the world. Ben chronicles his constant battle to stay true to the music, rather than the money or fame.Living in Madison, I have been lucky enough to hear performances by Ben Sidran playing with various musicians who are mentioned in the book. The best is being lucky enough to see him perform with his son, Leo. His joy and pride in sharing the stage with Leo is evident. The jazz history in the book allowed me to put many of my jazz cd's, Sidran's and others, in a context of the flow of jazz history. It also made me proud of Madison, my favorite place to live.
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