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-- Critically acclaimed biographies of history's most notable African-Americans -- Straightforward and objective writing -- Lavishly illustrated with photographs and memorabilia -- Essential for multicultural studies

James Ransome's glorious art celebrates jazz icon Sonny Rollins and how he found an inspired spot to practice his saxophone when his neighbors complained. Sonny Rollins loved his saxophone. As a teenager, he was already playing with jazz stars and making a name for himself. But in 1959, at age twenty-nine, he took a break from performing—to work on being a better, not just famous, musician. Practicing in a city apartment didn’t please the neighbors, so Sonny found a surprising alternative—the W...

With evocative black-and-white illustrations and moving prose, readers are introduced to jazz-music legend and civil-rights activist Nina Simone.  A stunning picture-book biography of the High Priestess of Soul and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. Shared as a lullaby to her daughter, a soulful song recounts Simone's career, the trials she faced as an African American woman, and the stand she took during the Civil Rights Movement. This poignant picture book offers a melodic tale t...

Clap Your Hands is an inspirational, joyous celebration of poetry, art, and rhythm, tracing the history of African American gospel music and the poets, singers, and thought leaders who have fearlessly and soulfully contributed to the spiritual and social evolution of America. This powerful and poetic read bursts with vibrant artwork and is rich in personal notes and information that will interest any history buff or music enthusiast. Created by the dynamic author and illustrator team of Toyomi...

Here is the story of "Hot Miss Lil" Hardin Armstrong, legendary jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader--and a female pioneer on the music stage. Ever since she was a young girl, Lil Hardin played music with a beat. She jammed at home, at church, and even at her first job in a music store. At a time when women's only place in jazz was at the microphone, Lil earned a spot playing piano in Chicago's hottest band. She went on to achieve fame as a bandleader and composer, and "swung" with many of th...

*The funniest band in the world, The Horne Section (fronted by Taskmaster's Alex Horne), tell you everything you need to know to be a music genius - with bizarre tales, absurd history and unbelievable facts.*'An explosion of silliness . . the whole family will get something from it' Guardian on The Horne Section TV showWith FUNNY tales, ABSURD history and UNBELIEVABLE facts, this mind-blowing guide to music can help anyone become a sound-making sensation.In this book, you'll find answers to thos...

Brassy, smokey, melodious. There's nothing like the saxophone. This incredible work from the award-winners behind Before She was Harriet includes a poster of jazz music's greatest talents. You may think that the story of the saxophone begins with Dexter Gordon or Charlie Parker, or on a street corner in New Orleans. It really began in 1840 in Belgium with a young daydreamer named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax—a boy with bad luck but great ideas. Coretta Scott King Honoree Lesa Cline-Ransome unrav...

Examines the personal life and musical career of the famous jazz trumpeter and singer known as Satchmo.

Introduces the famous saxophonist and his style of jazz known as bebop.

This volume brings together philosophical and interdisciplinary perspectives on improvisation. The contributions connect the theoretical dimensions of improvisation with different viewpoints on its practice in the arts and the classroom. The chapters address the phenomenon of improvisation in two related ways. On the one hand, they attend to the lived practices of improvisation both within and without the arts in order to explain the phenomenon. They also extend the scope of improvisational pr...

-- Critically acclaimed biographies of history's most notable African-Americans -- Straightforward and objective writing -- Lavishly illustrated with photographs and memorabilia -- Essential for multicultural studies