Customer Reviews

Hear Me Talkin' to Ya: The Story of Jazz As Told by the Men Who Made It

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This is a great introduction to Jazz History for anyone just becoming interested in the subject. Anyone who has been into jazz for some time who hasn't read "Hear Me Talkin' To Ya" yet is missing a real treat. This is full of facinating information, and is a great read.

The book is wonderfull and colorfull look at the origins and development of jazz music from New Orleans at the start of the 1900s to the start of BeBop in New York mid-century. As the full title states, this is "The Story of Jazz As Told By The Men [and Women] who Made It". This is a compilation of excerpts from interviews, letters, autobiographies, and articles with jazz musicians, both greats and less well known musicians who have good stories to tell. Louis Armstrong, Bunk Johnson, Sidney Bechet, Danny Barker, Hoagy Carmichael, Jelly Roll Morton, Mary Lou Williams, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Hinton, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, and many others have their say.

Highly recomended!

-- DCM ("Froggy")

I first read this book at The University of Michigan over twenty years ago, and gave my copy away to a friend over 15 years ago, who...to my surprise (!)...was married to a drummer for a very famous Jazz musician mention in this book!,...and I now just ordered a copy for my library...and to read over... and over again....

Excellent "quotes" from some of the most influential players in original American music history!!!

A 'must have' for anyone seriously interested in the origins of Jazz, it roots, it's movement up the Missippi to Chicago...And it's told from the people who not only played it...but also lived it!

If you finished reading this review, then this book is probably for you!!!

A very good reed!

This is a great book! It is the story of Jazz, as told by the men and women that made it. What more could you ask for! For the serious Jazz fan or for anyone interested in music history this book is a must. Why read what critics and journalist have to say when you can get it, 'straight from the horses' mouth'.

Learning history from those that were making is a good way to go. The book is loosely structured and stays fresh as if you were in conversation with these influential musicians.

If you're into jazz history and haven't read the book, this re-issue of the original is a good read. While it contains some well worn anecdotes from well known musicians, what stands out for me is the interconnected web of entities and details from their lives that adds to our understanding a watershed period in western culture.

Jazz music in their creators' own words. A fine job by Shapiro and Hentoff. Hentoff tends to be opinionated, but here he's just a compiler.