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Moving To Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life (2008)

by Wynton Marsalis(Favorite Author)

3.95 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1400060788 (ISBN13: 9781400060788)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Random House

review 1: I didn’t warm to this book right away. Through a couple of chapters I was thinking that a reader would need some significant musical training to follow; and I mistakenly thought that Wynton Marsalis was trying to teach non jazz fans about jazz. Well, he may have been to some extent, but the success of this book isn’t that. His treatment of the blues as a music that backs up, supports, or is the foundation for good jazz was illuminating. But for me, the successes of this book were the bigger lessons that Marsalis provides about life. In a number of places he is candid about how he wasn’t always a great trumpet player; how he didn’t always know how to “swing” with other musicians; and how his mouth got him into trouble in saying things that he shouldn’t have sa... moreid. As a DC hand dancer, I loved his obvious respect for swing dancing and his laments about how several generations now have lost the kind of connections to one another that we who still partner-dance enjoy. It’s hard not to give away too much of the story. I’ll just say that one particular lesson about dealing with the deficiencies in one’s talent as the key to success in any aspect of life … that’s one lesson I’m stealing. Folks are going to hear that from me, but I’ll always give attribution. Thanks Wynton!
review 2: This book had been on my "to read" bookshelf much too long. I wish I had read it sooner. Recently, I have found myself drawn to listening jazz and blues much more than regularly. After reading it, I understand why. I am looking for music for meat on its bones, and the place to find that is definitely in jazz and blues. Why? Because as Marsalis eloquently states, the starting point for playing jazz is the complete mastery of one's instrument. This has to be combined with the ability to communicate and share the spotlight musically with other musicians, and to stay true to one's own groove, even when the crowd or other musicians don't get it. Eventually, they will come around. For people who have never listened to jazz, a copy of this book and access to YouTube are about all you need to learn the basics. Marsalis is incredibly generous both to his readers and his fellow musicians. He recommends certain songs to illustrate certain points, e.g., using Louis Armstrong's opening trumpet solo on "West End Blues," or bass player Joe Smith responding to Bessie Smith's vocals on "Young Woman's Blues," to demonstrate call and response. When you take the time to listen to some of his examples as you progress through the book, you comprehend what he is saying much "more better."Throughout this book, Marsalis uses events from his own life to demonstrate lessons from jazz. He is very candid about his own shortcomings and mistakes, such as unfortunate comments in interviews when he was a brash young man, or failing to appreciate the kid who stuck up for him in elementary school when the racial slurs were flying. He also does not shirk from talking about the greater issues that jazz illuminates, like racism and drug abuse. When talking about other musicians, he is also tells the truth. He talks about lives ruined by heroin, and others in decline through choosing fame over music. Throughout it all, though, what comes through is his love for the music and respect for the people who make it.This book has so much heart, it swings. it definitely swings. less

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