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George Russell: The Story of an American Composer
Author(s): Duncan Heining (Author)
- Publisher: Scarecrow Press
- Publication Date: December 17, 2009
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 400 pages
- ISBN-10: 0810869977
- ISBN-13: 9780810869974
Book Description
George Russell: The Story of an American Composer is the first biography of one of the greatest figures in jazz. Russell’s story is interwoven with some of the most colorful characters in the history of the music—musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, Miles Davis, and Gil Evans. Written with Russell’s full cooperation and extensively researched with interviews from friends, family members, musicians, associates, and commentators on jazz, the book reveals many valuable insights and previously unknown facts about Russell’s life. Not only a biography, this volume also reflects and celebrates the evolution of modern jazz while presenting a re-evaluation of the relationship between jazz and classical music.
Editorial Reviews
Review
In George Russell: The Story of an American Composer, Duncan Heining has done a masterful job of establishing a line of continuity from Russell’s early life, through his first musical incarnation as a drummer, through his early compositions and his formulation of the Concept, through his adventures as bandleader and educator, to his last works, demonstrating that they are all of a piece. . . . In the best of all possible words, Duncan Heining’s biography will be the cornerstone of the edifice that will in time erect to the memory of George Russell and his gift to music.,
Arts FuseDuncan Heining’s biography. . . could not be more timely in placing [George Russell’s] life and work within the broader context of mid-20th century music. . . . Heining elucidates how Russell’s ‘separateness’ was assimilated into his playing and composing rather than projected onto an overtly political stance. . . . From this perspective Russell was ideally placed to elaborate his own theory of the relationship between the music around him and the way it could be realised.,
Jazz UkFrom this research Heining has constructed the biography of a great musician and thinker, who served as an important figure in the process of freeing jazz musicians from the conventions and boundaries that had hemmed them in. … All in all, this is a very readable book, which can be safely recommended for anyone with a love for this wonderful multifaceted form of music we call jazz.,
JazznytHeining’s work is no hagiography. But then, the author has taken care to add to the history an elaborate discography, a long agenda of concerts given with different formations and a dense bibliography. At the heart of the book is George Russell, a singular musician and outstanding thinker who, like Gil Evans, Teddy Charles and Jimmy Giuffre, did much to break down musical barriers.,
E son du grisliHis story begins to come to light in this engaging volume, equal parts biography, social history and musical analysis. . . The book makes a compelling argument for the importance of the innovative music Russell made here and (mostly) abroad during the period, hopefully provoking a reexamination of he composers total body of work.,
The New York City Jazz RecordAll this makes for a good read and a handy companion for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in Russell’s work. . . . George Russell: The Story of an American Composer gives one a good handle on that aspect of Russell’s life.,
Cadence Magazine, July-September 2010
