Customer Reviews

Willie and Dwike: An American Profile

5 star:		(3)
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I received this book as a gift some years ago. I am a jazz fan (wannabe trad jazz banjo player), also classical, Americana, et al.; anything that is played with skill, intelligence and passion. This book is very well written and provides insight into the amazing lives of two of our many unheralded jazz virtuosos. I have read it more than once and taken their lessons on life and music to heart the best that my abilities allow. A very good read for anyone with a strong interest in the history of jazz and more broadly in music and life.

I knew about Willie Ruff from the last chapter of this book when it appeared in the New Yorker. The rest of the book is quite up to that standard. Reading this book helped me listen better to Willie and Dwike and gave me some insight into their experience.

Two very inspiring, adventurous, entertaining guys, made even more attractive by William Zinsser. He could write nursery rhymes and I'd read them. A great book for any jazz lover. I think it should be mandatory reading for modern music lovers. AND...you can read it in one evening.