seeirwin
Member
Team, need a bit of advice on jazz books if anyone has any on the subject.
I have just finished reading Beneath The Underdog by Charles Mingus and it didn't really scratch my jazz itch. It was a good book and a great look into Mingus' mind, but up until the last few chapters (where hes writing the narrative between him and his doctor/psychologist) I felt like there was very little to it other than sex, pimping, and women.
I have read Miles Davis' book and found it way more informative and 'fun' as it really painted the picture of the classic jazz era and the battles he faced as a musician. I have also recently read As Serious As Your Life by Val Wilmer which I THOROUGHLY recommend reading for a fantastic overview of the 1957-1977 jazz period (and some detailed explorations into specific musicians as well). And finally I have read pretty much every Blue Note book I have been able to get my hands on.
If anyone has any recommendations that would be fantastic. I would really like to read a biography on John Coltrane or Lee Morgan, has anyone read anything like this?
Cheers
If you like Miles's autobiography, you might also dig Duke Ellington's. It's called Music Is My Mistress and, like Miles's, he never lets the truth get in the way of a good story.