Synopsis
Winner of the 2008 American Library Association Odyssey Award for Audiobooks
School Library Journal
Gr 1 5—Karen Ehrhardt's lively retelling (Harcourt, 2006) of the traditional song, "This Old Man," introduces nine African-American jazz greats, including Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, and Charlie Parker. For example, "This jazz man, he plays four/He conducts em through the score," is conductor and composer Duke Ellington. The musicians are identified by name in the back matter, where Ehrhardt provides biographical information about each one. The book perfectly captures the loose, improvisational rhythms of jazz. The CD enriches the experience with music and lively narration by James "D Train" Williams. The bright, bopping jazz score presents the creative energy of this most American of musical forms. The soundtrack also nods to the stars featured in the book. For instance, jazz man number seven is bebop pioneer Dizzy Gillespie. Adult jazz aficionados will recognize riffs on his classic "A Night in Tunisia" in the background as Williams reads about him. R.G. Roth's collage illustrations are seamlessly integrated with the audio component. Each performer's signature sound is represented in bright, colorful letters that span their double-page spreads. In this package, text, art, and sound work together to create meaning. Roth's bright palette also underscores the lively energy of the text and of the music it celebrates. An outstanding selection for classroom units or library programs about music or African-American history and culture.—Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY