John F. Szwed

Sun Ra, a.k.a. Herman Poole "Sonny" Blount (1914–1993), has been hailed as "one of the great big-band leaders, pianists, and surrealists of jazz" (New York Times) and as "the missing link between Duke Ellington and Public Enemy" (Rolling Stone). Composer, keyboardist, bandleader, philosopher, poet, and self-proclaimed extraterrestrial from Saturn, Sun Ra led his "Intergalactic Arkestra" of thirty-plus musicians in a career that ranged from boogie-woogie and swing to be-bop, free jazz, fusion, and New Age music. This definitive biography reveals the life, philosophy, and musical growth of one of the twentieth century's greatest avant-garde musicians.

The Lives And Times Of Sun Ra

Space Is The Place

The Lives and Times of Sun Ra

Space Is the Place

Based on interviews with family and friends, this account of the jazz great's life reveals the influence of Miles Davis' life on his work as well as the musician's persistent desire to re-invent himself.

the life of Miles Davis

So what

James Marti

A biography of the late avant-garde jazz musician, who claimed to be from the planet Saturn, explores his roots in the South, his erratic musical career, and his famously eccentric views on blacks, the cosmos, and spirituality. 12,500 first printing.

Space is the Place

Roger D. Abrahams

Afro-American Folk Culture: North America

Henry Glassie

Edward D. Ives

Three prominent folklorists wrote these essays in the 1970s about Dorrance Weir of upstate New York and his song "Take that Night Train to Selma," Joe Scott of Maine and his song "The Plain Golden Band," and Paul Hall of Newfoundland and "The Bachelor's Song."

John F. Szwed

Books

Your next favorite book is out there