Author of Louis Armstrong (OUP USA 1983) and Duke Ellington (OUP USA 1987).
'The author gives a scrupulous account of Goodman's life and
character, without indulging in excessive psychological
speculation. He also presents an excellent survey of the rise of
the big band.' Geoffrey Smith, Country Life
'he has marshalled the available data very diligently ... a
commendable work on the Jewish boy from the ghetto who made good'
Jim Godbolt, Sunday Telegraph
'his book leaves us with a sharply drawn, far from flattering
portrait of the ambitious, totally self-centred clarinettist and
band leader ... But Collier paints an enthralling picture of the
whole American popular music industry through to the fifties ...
Collier is an extremely able social historian ... His ensembles
blow as hard as his solos making this book an indispensable
companion to the records.' John Ellis, The Guardian
'brilliantly chronicled by James Lincoln Collier in this in-depth
study ... With its fine photographs, notes, index and discography,
it belongs in every jazz fan's library.' Elaine Ives-Cameron,
Jewish Chronicle
`Collier... writes wonderfully well' Devon Life
'Even with the benefit of all the diligent research that has made
this book so gripping, Collier is unable to explain why Goodman
could be so uniquely nasty ... a disturbing and revealing account
of one of the most paradoxical lives in jazz.' Jazz FM
'authoritative study ... The author gives a scrupulous account of
Goodman's life and character, without indulging in excessive
psychological speculation. He also presents an excellent survey of
the rise of the big band.' Geoffrey Smith, Country Life
'this is a substantial and recommendable read' Wire Monthly
'Collier's probing of Goodman's personality and his assessment of
the music it created is superior to his earlier studies of Duke
Ellington and Louis Armstrong.' Times Literary Supplement
'the book gives a new and fascinating insight into Goodman's
particular style of leadership and discipline ... This is, without
a doubt, the most in-depth analysis of any band leader ... that you
are ever likely to read.' Tony Parker, Oldham Evening Chronicle
'the most reliable of Collier's three jazz biographies' Jazztimes,
November 1991
'Collier's book amplifies very extensively Goodman's autobiography,
The Kingdom of Swing.' Times Literary Supplement
Ask a Question About this Product More... |