From 1955-65 the historian Eric Hobsbawm took the pseudonym Francis Newton and wrote a monthly column for the New Statesman on jazz - music he had loved ever since discovering it as a boy in 1933 (the year Adolf Hitler took power in Germany). Hobsbawms column led to his writing a critical history; The Jazz Scene (1959). This enhanced edition from 1993 adds later writings by Hobsbawm in which he meditates further on why jazz is not only a marvellous noise but a central concern for anyone concerned with twentieth-century society and the twentieth-century arts. All the greats are covered in passing (Louis Armstrong; Billie Holiday); while further space is given to Duke Ellington; Ray Charles; Thelonious Monk; Mahalia Jackson; and Sidney Bechet ... Perhaps Hobsbawms tastiest comments are about the business side and work ethics; where his historians eye strips the jazz scene down to its commercial spine. Kirkus Reviews
#3147604 in eBooks 2014-07-08 2014-07-08File Name: B00LNP84RC
Review
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful. This gave me a lot of new insight and helped organize my processBy Celeste ThomsThe book is broken up into five stages of the design process. This is a design book more than a how to draw the book. However; there a lot of tutorials in Stage 2; so you will learn how to draw as well.Through the design process; you learn how to focus on portions of your entire project through these stages; so you do not get overwhelmed; and its how the process works in a studio setting if youre interested in that kind of work.I dont want to give too much away; but heres what you learn in each stage:Stage 1 - you learn to research and develop your character before you start designing him/her. The book poses a lot of great questions that will bring more life to the character(s) youre designing. You also get a few pages on the different styles used in comics and animation. I didnt know what these styles were called before; so that was nice.Stage 2 - This is the stage where you design your character and there are some tutorials to help with character anatomy. Mostly human anatomy. There is no animal anatomy in this book. Youll also get a blurp on character personalities and archetypes.Stage 3 - You learn to polish the character design.Stage 4 - You learn to properly present your characters for yourself or a client; such as turnarounds and poses.Stage 5 - There are various characters that Jazza takes you through the design process and we see how each process works with actual characters.Overall; I like the simplicity of the book. The pages were easy to read through. I got through it in a day. Im studying through it again; but the simplicity allows for anyone to jump right in and get started. Even during the discovery stage; I used a few of the questions to shape out a character Im working on and I was able to design and create him in a day. That time frame will vary of course; but the questions helped spark a lot of ideas.This book is appropriate for all ages. Im in my 30s; and I plan to buy one for my 13-year-old nephew and my 17-year-old godson. Its easy for anyone to understand and a great addition to your library. Update: I showed my older brother the book and I will be getting it for him on his birthday.I wanted to leave this to the end so you wouldnt think my review was skewed. Ive been a fan of Jazzas content online for almost four years; and that does not sway my opinion of this book. One thing I hate is when people do videos to get you to pay for their content; but you end up getting the same old stuff. So I looked at this book with a critical and skeptical eye because of that reason. I am happy to say that Ive gained new knowledge here; very helpful knowledge. Very few books are written about character design. Theres only one other good one that I know of. This book is the culmination of a lot of growth from this artist; and he knocked it out of the park.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. This book is a wonderful addition to my collectionBy ChelseaThis book is a wonderful addition to my collection. Its easy to understand for all levels of ability and most ages. Jazza breaks down the process into easy to follow steps that you can use for character design or when designing any concept. It directly relates to what I am learning in art school; highly recommend.14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. You will gain knowledge from this book.By BrysonJazza brings all of his expansive talents into a single book! You will learn something by reading this book period. There is so much knowledge its a guarantee that you will gain something about being a better artist. As a long time Jazza viewer I am happy to say this book holds up to the normal content I consume from him daily. Side note best dedication Ive ever seen. Well Played Jazza.
