Bill Russell and the New Orleans Jazz Revival
by Ray Smith and Mike Pointon
Hardback (Published)
(March 2018)
ISBN: 9781781791691
7.95 x 9.92 inches
Price: $70.00
In stock
Born in 1905, Bill Russell demonstrated diverse musical interests from an early age. Having been a contemporary of John Cage, Henry Cowell, and Lou Harrison, amongst others, his significance as a percussion composer is well known amongst aficionados. His work as a musicologist of New Orleans jazz music is equally acclaimed. He became the first Curator of the newly formed Tulane Jazz Archives at New Orleans in 1958. He was a major figure in the development of the revival of interest in the music of that City, notably from his recordings of trumpet player Bunk Johnson in the 1940s.This is the first full-length book about Mr. Russell’s life to be largely “in his own words.”
Born in 1905, Bill Russell demonstrated diverse musical interests from an early age. Having been a contemporary of John Cage, Henry Cowell, and Lou Harrison, amongst others, his significance as a percussion composer is well known amongst aficionados. His work as a musicologist of New Orleans jazz music is equally acclaimed. He became the first Curator of the newly formed Tulane Jazz Archives at New Orleans in 1958. He was a major figure in the development of the revival of interest in the music of that City, notably from his recordings of trumpet player Bunk Johnson in the 1940s.This is the first full-length book about Mr. Russell’s life to be largely “in his own words.” The book is based largely on personal interviews conducted with Russell about the great diversity of his life’s work, interspersed with views and anecdotes about him from his friends and associates written especially for the book, together with archival material. These sources are woven together to give a portrait of an extremely talented, modest man who forsook an academic career to become a champion of the music and musicians of New Orleans.
- By (author) Mike Pointon
- By (author) Ray Smith
--Winner of BEST HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN RECORDED JAZZ, 2019 ARSC Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research "Too often, major superlatives are applied to relatively minor achievements in the documentation of all strains of American Roots Music -- but with a book such as this, a reviewer's hackneyed final words of 'essential', 'recommended' or even 'highly recommended' seem somehow totally inadequate. So I'll boldly go further and conclude that absolutely anyone with the faintest interest in Jazz, New Orleans born or otherwise, or any keeper of the printed word interested in the brilliant and fascinating spoken words and wisdom of an equally brilliant and fascinating man should get a copy of this book -- it will probably be the best of its kind you'll ever know." --Paul Swinton, Vintage Jazz Mart Magazine "This is a very important addition to the jazz literature and is worthy of the highest recommendation." --Chris Tyle, Just Jazz "A homage to Bill Russell, the book builds a picture of this complex man by interspersing other interviews, recollections, articles, program notes, and photographs, and adding reminiscences by many of us who knew him or benefitted directly from his selfless efforts on our behalf..." --Clive Wilson, OffBeat Magazine, September 2018 "For anyone interested in the resurgence of interest in New Orleans jazz from the late 1930s on this book is a must read." --Mike Pointon "The book brings Russell to life better than most biographies -- I knew him for twenty years and everything in the book rings true, as it should, since the bulk of the book is in his own words." --Paige VanVorst
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Other Titles in this Series
Two Bold Singermen and the English Folk Revival
The Lives, Song Traditions and Legacies of Sam Larner and Harry Cox
The Ultimate Guide to Great Reggae
The Complete Story of Reggae Told through its Greatest Songs, Famous and Forgotten
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