New Documentary on Bill Crow by Neal Miner

[sidewinder]

42 minutes ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

This is such an interesting read. I have to pick up his books. Which one is recommended first, "Jazz Anecdotes" or "From Birdland To Broadway: Scenes From A Jazz Life"?

I seem to recall our missed late friend BillF recommending 'Jazz Anecdotes'. I need to pick up a copy of that one myself.

[mikeweil]

I just read the latter, didn't know there was another volume. Good read, although reading one anecdote after the next can be a bit tiresome. I took several breaks, which helped a lot (for me, at least.) 

[Big Beat Steve]

@Kevin Bresnahan:
As the contents of "Jazz Anecdotes" do not all come from the personal observations of Bill Crow (far from it ...) they are not really closely related. So IMO you can do as you prefer.  But make sure you get the "Jazz Anecdotes - Second Time Around" edition. According to the preface, this is a revised and expanded edition of the original "Jazz Anecdotes" first published in 1990.

@Mike Weil:
Sound advice - plowing too hard through the "Jazz Anecdotes" in one go might be too much of a good thing. Better to take it in smaller instalments. Just like the "Good Vibes" autobio of Terry Gibbs - though his recollections of his time and work with Benny Goodman (aptly named "The Fog" or "El Foggo") are a hoot!

Edited Tuesday at 03:19 PM by Big Beat Steve

[mikeweil]

52 minutes ago, Big Beat Steve said:

But make sure you get the "Jazz Anecdotes - Second Time Around" edition. According to the preface, this is a revised and expanded edition of the original "Jazz Anecdotes" first published in 1990.

I will get me the Kindle edition.

[sgcim]

Bill's a cool guy; you can email him with any questions you have about musicians, and he'll get right back to you.

[gmonahan]

I love the Anecdotes book. It has a quote from Zoot Sims about what it was like playing in Russia with Goodman. Zoot said, "Every gig with Benny is like playing in Russia." I know BG had his fans, but both Crow and Phil Woods were somewhat less than complimentary!