Jazz Masters of the 30s

By Rex Stewart

Book Overview

This is the only jazz history written by a musician that is not strictly autobiographical. Rex Stewart, who played trumpet and cornet with Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington, knew personally all the giants of jazz in the 1930s and thus his judgments on their achievements come with unique authority and understanding. As a good friend, he never minimizes their foibles; yet he writes of them with affection and generosity. Chapters on Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Red Norvo, Art Tatum, Big Sid Catlett, Benny Carter, and Louis Armstrong mix personal anecdotes with critical comments that only a fellow jazz musician could relate. A section on Ellington and the Ellington orchestra profiles Ben Webster, Harry Carney, Tricky Sam Nanton, Barney Bigard, and Duke himself for whom Rex Stewart was barber, chef, poker opponent, and third trumpet. Finally, he recounts the stories of legendary jam sessions between Jelly Roll Morton, Willie the Lion Smith, and James P. Johnson, all vying for the unofficial title of king of Harlem stride piano. It was the decade of swing and no one saw it, heard it, or wrote about it better than Rex Stewart. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306801590
• ISBN13: 9780306801594
• Release Date: March 1982
• Publisher: Da Capo
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A must for every lover of classic jazz

Rex Stewart offers chapters on some of his contemporary jazz musicians; most of these articles have appeared in Downbeat issues in the sixties before they were collected for this book. They offer very interesting insights into some his colleagues; they are well-written and full of anecdotes. They make an enjoyable and worthwhile reading. Highly recommended.