Red Head
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.89 (768 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0810830612 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-11-19 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Stroff is a pianist and freelance writer on jazz and classical music whose work has appeared in Ovation, Opus, Cincinnati Magazine, and Opera News.. Stephen M
A Customer said Re-evaluating a neglected jazz master. There are, usually, two ways to approach 19"Re-evaluating a neglected jazz master" according to A Customer. There are, usually, two ways to approach 1920s jazz: love it or hate it. The former attitude normally emanates from hopeless Romantics who find its peppy melodies and stiffish rhythms jolly and optimistic. The latter comes from everyone else, particularly lovers of cool or bebop. In this book, however, the author has struck on a middle path: `20s jazz can be great depending on who you're listening to, but only a few bands escape negative criticism. Among these he cites Duke Ellington, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Jelly Roll Morton, Tiny Parham--and Red Nichols. 0s jazz: love it or hate it. The former attitude normally emanates from hopeless Romantics who find its peppy melodies and stiffish rhythms jolly and optimistic. The latter comes from everyone else, particularly lovers of cool or bebop. In this book, however, the author has struck on a middle path: `"Re-evaluating a neglected jazz master" according to A Customer. There are, usually, two ways to approach 1920s jazz: love it or hate it. The former attitude normally emanates from hopeless Romantics who find its peppy melodies and stiffish rhythms jolly and optimistic. The latter comes from everyone else, particularly lovers of cool or bebop. In this book, however, the author has struck on a middle path: `20s jazz can be great depending on who you're listening to, but only a few bands escape negative criticism. Among these he cites Duke Ellington, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Jelly Roll Morton, Tiny Parham--and Red Nichols. 0s jazz can be great depending on who you're listening to, but only a few bands escape negative criticism. Among these he cites Duke Ellington, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Jelly Roll Morton, Tiny Parham--and Red Nichols. Brilliant musical analysis, interesting writing I had never heard of Stephen Stroff before reading this book, but afterwardI went and bought his other two books, "Discovering Great Jazz" and "Opera: An Informal Guide." All of them display an agile musical mind, capable of sophisticated analysis, while being able to convey this in readable, entertaining language. An absolute joy--and quite informative on Nichols' unjustly-neglected recordings.. "In one word: Awful." according to Harry Oakley. "Red Head" by Stephen Stroff, Studies in Jazz, No.21 - issued by the Intitute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.The book "Red Head", which the writer Stephen Stroff claims to be a biography of Red Nichols, is actually a very poor story about Nichols, swarming with inaccuracies and highly debatable opinions.I'll give a few examples from this work (which is also riddled with spelling errors) with some comments.1. Like so many people Stroff has a problem with skin colour; I quote: "I do not claim that white jazzmen of any era were, or are, superior to blacks;
as a result of this book, I'm now giving Red Nichols a strong second look (and listen). (The Jazz Rag) . (The Mississippi Rag)Stephen Stroff has an enthusiasm and down-to-earth frankness that are most engaging. Overall, the book is fascinating! (Jazz Educators Journal)Personal details, a biography and a discography plus interesting history make this a fascinating book. (Big Bands International)the factual and anecdotal information included makes the book quite worthwhile for those interested in Red Nichols and the musicians he was associated with
Stephen Stroff has written a full analysis of Nichols' work, focusing on the jazz-oriented recordings made between 1925 and 1932. 'Red' Nichols, although celebrated in his own day, has long been a neglected figure in jazz history. Discussions and listings cover jazz recordings made with other bands and jazz and popular recordings made under Nichols's name. Also included is a bibliography, selected discography, and index.