Pause, Play, Repeat.: The real impact of Covid-19 on musicians

By Sammy Stein

Hit book exposes pandemic impact on jazz

She's one of the country's leading advocates of jazz music.
And there were few writers better placed to portray the problems that the pandemic caused on her beloved creative industry.
Sammy Stein has been broadcasting and writing about jazz for decades.
Her latest work, Pause, Play, Repeat, is an in-depth probe into the devastation and hardship that almost two years of lockdown had on musicians around the globe.
And also how resourceful the singers, pianists, clarinetists and saxophonists became to end the enforced silence.
Sammy said: "I want people to understand how difficult it was for jazz musicians during the pandemic, and I want them also to learn from the positivity and supportive attitude the musicians express.
"My inspiration for writing Pause, Play, Repeat was seeing first-hand how devastating the pandemic was on the musicians - and then seeing how they found new ways to connect, support each other and bring positivity."
Sammy interviewed a total of 18 leading international musicians, including Brazilian saxophonist Ivo Perelman, UK harpist Tara Milton and Canadian singer Emm Gryner, for Pause, Play, Repeat.
In their captivating stories, each musician reveals how the sudden loss of work impacted on their lives and their creativity.
While many express their frustration over the lack of support and opportunities as the doors remain closed on venues and rehearsal rooms, the collective message which emerges from Sammy's skilful interviews is that where there's a will to play, there's often a way.
She added: "The musicians explain how they continued to be creative and how new collaborations were formed.
"The interviewees are based in different countries, of various ages and each has their own take on their experiences before and during the pandemic.
"I hope Play, Pause, Repeat describes the true effects of the pandemic on the lives of these musicians caught up in a global disaster.
"The interviews are profound, open and revealing."
Pause, Play, Repeat has already reached number one in Amazon's music charts, and attracted a string of five-star reviews.
Sammy's latest book has been described by reviewers as 'insightful', 'really engaging' and 'pulls no punches'.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B08YQMBVR3
• ISBN13: 9798719865348
• Release Date: March 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"