It was none other than Louis Armstrong who said, `These people who make the restrictions, they don't know nothing about music. It's no crime for cats of any colour to get together and blow.'In this collection of essays, Gene Lees brings together candid interviews with Jazz's greatest musicians and his own thoughts on the issue of racism, past and present, in jazz.
Focusing on extensive interviews, this exploration delves into the life and music of Oscar Peterson, revealing insights into his artistry and the impact of his work. It offers a provocative look at his contributions to jazz, highlighting both his technical prowess and emotional depth. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the book paints a comprehensive portrait of Peterson's influence on the music world.
Gene Lees' bestseller for songwriters has been revised! In addition to providing fascinating, creative and clear techniques for writing lyrics, this edition now a new foreword by renowned songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman; a new chapter called “Tattered Standards ” which outlines the lack of literacy in certain modern songs and shows you how to avoid it; a new chapter called “The Words You Choose ” which examines why words from some language families are subconsciously more appealing than those from others; and much more! Invaluable to the beginner, this book will also prove beneficial to professionals, poets, linguists and teachers.