Marian McPartland's Jazz World: All in Good Time (Music in American Life) [Hardcover]

Marian McPartland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2002 | Series: Music in American Life

In this collection of musical portraits, jazz pianist and radio host Marian McPartland pays tribute to such beloved and legendary figures as Benny Goodman, Bill Evans, Joe Morello, Paul Desmond, Alec Wilder, Mary Lou Williams, and others. McPartland's reminiscences and anecdotes about these jazz greats are informed by her encyclopedic knowledge of their music, making this richly detailed collection an important addition to the literature of jazz. In a preface to this new edition - originally published as "All in Good Time" - McPartland extends her commentary to include details of her long-running National Public Radio show "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz" and memories of her late husband, famed Chicago trumpeter Jimmy McPartland.

Editorial Reviews

Review

ADVANCE PRAISE "Marian McPartland is as wittily incisive a writer-memoirist as she is a pianist and radio sage. The new postscripts enhance a jazz classic -- portraits of an era, from the other side of the footlights." -- Gary Giddins, author of Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams "I wonder if Marian McPartland fully realizes what an elegant prose stylist she is. But then, it's only natural that her choices with language should be no less sensitive or discriminating than those she makes at the keyboard. In the truest sense these word portraits are McPartland compositions and remain among my most treasured music reading. What a joy to have an expanded and updated edition." -- Richard M. Sudhalter, author of Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael "Marian McPartland has always been one of my favorite pianists, and this book shows that she is every bit as good a writer as she is a musician." -- Dave Brubeck "She has done her studying from the inside: as one of the few working jazz musicians to write about the music with any frequency, she offers a perspective on the men and women who play jazz for a living that seldom finds its way into print." -- New York Times "Marian McPartland is that rare combination, a first rank jazz musician who also can write about her music, its milieu and musicians... [She] writes with wit, acumen, and vivacity." -- San Diego Union-Tribune

From AudioFile

This is an audio treasure, whether you're a current fan of this beloved jazz pianist and her long-running public radio program or you're new to her work. It's clear that it's been a joyful life as McPartland reads essays and remembrances over the decades--her joie de vivre and true immersion in jazz and its great artists come through loud and clear. Her soft London-influenced voice has made a friendly truce with an American accent--the overall effect is like being invited to tea or bourbon with a savvy, kind, and talented lady of the arts. The bonus CD with excerpts of McPartland's interviews with such jazz greats as Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson is the topper. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; Upd Sub edition (December 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252028015
• ISBN-13: 978-0252028014
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Writing from the First Lady of Jazz, October 24, 2007

By 

Robin Meloy Goldsby "Author of Piano Girl" (Cologne, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marian McPartland's Jazz World: ALL IN GOOD TIME (Music in American Life) (Paperback)

If you're a fan of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz show on NPR, you'll adore reading this fabulous book about her life in the music business. Music flows through her writing. It's clear that her radio skills stem from her uncanny ability to really listen to what's going on around her, and she achieves the same warm and intelligent result with her writing. As my friend Daryl Sherman says, Marian is one of the wonders of the world.

[ASIN:0879308826 Piano Girl: A Memoir]]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars as I thought, February 18, 2011

By 

James A. Hubler (WHITTIER, CA, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marian McPartland's Jazz World: ALL IN GOOD TIME (Music in American Life) (Paperback)

A nicelittle book She writes very well and really knows music.
I liked her subjects worth the money