[audiobook] The Phenomenology of Dance by Maxine Sheets-Johnstone at Arts-Photography

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Insiders View of JazzBy Fellow TravelerIve been reading Hentoff for over half a century and he never disappoints. In reading him here; one has the feeling of being at his side and following him around to the many smoke-filled; darkened night spots as he made the rounds of various jazz joints over the years. Hentoff shares his own views and stories of some of jazzs biggest names and what they themselves said about their music. Recommended.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Nat Hentoffs Personal Exploration of the Nature of Jazz and the Lives of Jazz GreatsBy karlojazzIn his introduction to Jazz Is; noted jazz critic and long-time jazz fan Nat Hentoff states his purpose: "This book is a selective tribute and guide to the jazz life; the players; and the music. It is not a chronological or comprehensive history; but rather a personal exploration through variegated seminal figures of the nature of the music (and how it keeps changing). And it is about the nature of those who make the music -- temperaments as disparate as those of Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. It tells too of the political economy of jazz; its internationalization; the continuing surprises of its further frontiers."Hentoff concentrates on a number of major figures in jazz and blends his own memories of attending concerts or nightclubs and also listening to recordings with recollections of encounters or interviews with some of these musicians or their peers. Separate chapters are devoted to the following musicians: Duke Ellington; Billie Holiday; Louis Armstrong; Teddy Wilson; Gerry Mulligan; Miles Davis; Charles Mingus; Charlie Parker; John Coltrane; Cecil Taylor; and Gato Barbieri. Another chapter near the end of the book focuses on what the author calls the political economy of jazz.Although the chapters on musicians lives and legacies make up the majority of this book; Hentoff adds to its interest by interspersing between chapters a brief collection of quotations from noted jazz musicians and critics regarding the definition of jazz. Hentoff provides no commentary on these various quotes but merely lets them stand apart from the rest of the text seemingly as a means of provoking readers thoughts.Anyone who has encountered Mr. Hentoffs perceptions of jazz through some of the liner notes written by him over the past few decades will recognize in this book a person with a genuine love for the music and an appreciation for its artists that borders on reverence and awe. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to learn about the way jazz has mattered in modern life in America.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great look into the personal lives of many jazz legendsBy Andrew HudsonA great look into the personal lives of many jazz legends. Nat Hentoff describes "ground zero" for many jazz events; as jazz was happening.