Synopses & Reviews
Although he died in a tragic car accident at twenty-five, Clifford Brown is widely considered one of the most important figures in the history of jazz a trumpet player who ranks with Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis and a leading influence on contemporary jazz musicians. Now, in this absorbing work, Nick Catalano gives us the first major biography of this musical giant.
Based on extensive interviews with Brown's family, friends, and fellow jazz musicians, here is a fascinating portrait of a remarkable musician. Catalano depicts Brown's early life, showing how he developed a dazzling technique that few jazz players have ever equaled. We read of his meteoric rise in Philadelphia, his tour of Europe with Lionel Hampton, and his formation of the Brown-Roach Quintet with prominent drummer Max Roach. Catalano also reveals Brown's exceptional character, showing how Brown, in an era when jazz players were either alcoholics or addicts, was clean-living and drug free.
Clifford Brown not only provides a colorful account of Brown's life, but also features an informed analysis of his major recorded solos, highlighting Brown's originality and revealing why he remains a great influence.
Review
"This study of a vitally important artist is a book for all jazz collections." Choice
Review
"[T]he first full biography of the man known as 'Brownie' and should be required reading for any serious jazz fan. Catalano's account will definitely have you, to paraphrase Benny Golson's famous composition, 'remembering Clifford'." Alabama Times
Review
"A generation before Wynton Marsalis, Clifford Brown exhibited a similar mastery of modern jazz phrasing, tone control, and trumpet technique." Ted Gioia, author of The History of Jazz and West Coast Jazz
Review
"The author's enthusiastic and well-researched summary of Brown's career should send jazz buffs back to their record collections for serious listening." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Although he died in a tragic car accident at twenty-five, Clifford Brown is widely considered one of the most important figures in the history of jazz--now, in this absorbing work, Nick Catalano gives us the first major biography of this musical giant.
Based on extensive interviews with Brown's family, friends, and fellow jazz musicians, this is a fascinating portrait of a remarkable musician. Catalano colorfully depicts Brown's life, showing how he developed a dazzling technique that few jazz players have equaled. We read of his meteoric rise in Philadelphia, his tour of Europe with Lionel Hampton, and his formation of the Brown-Roach Quintet with prominent drummer Max Roach. The book also features an informed analysis of Brown's major recorded solos, highlighting his originality and revealing why he remains such a great influence today.
About the Author
A University Performing Arts director and Professor of Music and Literature at Pace University, Dr. Nick Catalano has played, produced, taught and written about jazz throughout his life. He has also had an extensive television career as a writer-producer of films and documentaries. Dr. Catalano lives and writes in New York and East Hampton.