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Overview
Companion book to the popular PBS-TV series Marsalis on Music, introducing families, children, and music-hungry readers of all ages to the joy of good music, both classical and jazz.
With an unrivaled freshness, charm, and sense of fun, Wynton Marsalis steps forward not only as a world-renowned jazz and classical performer, but as a great teacher in the tradition of Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts.
Using wonderfully appealing examples and analogies—likening the rhythmic structures of music to playing basketball or football, teaching sonata form through a story about chasing a pet hamster through a shopping mall, drawing unprecedented and revealing connections between classical music and jazz—Wynton Marsalis makes so-called "difficult" music vivid, immediately graspable, and most of all fun. The result is the perfect book for families and schools eager to give children a strong cultural foundation without boring them—no risk of that here!—or for anyone who has ever felt interested in "serious" music only to be intimidated by its intricacies.
The most popular and acclaimed jazz musician and composer of his generation, Wynton Marsalis is also one of the world's leading classical trumpet virtuosos. Throughout his career he has made room for extensive work with children and students. He is co-founder and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
A companion book to a major PBS series, airing September 1995, Marsalis on Music introduces families, children, and music-hungry readers of all ages to the joys of good music, both classical and jazz. 150 full-color and 110 black-and-white photos.
Synopsis
Companion book to the popular PBS-TV series Marsalis on Music, introducing families, children, and music-hungry readers of all ages to the joy of good music, both classical and jazz.
Library Journal
Acclaimed jazz and classical performer Marsalis (Sweet Swing Blues on the Road, Norton, 1994) takes us into the realm of music fundamentals in his latest offering. The book accompanies the PBS series of the same name and is designed to show how basic elements of music are shared by different musical styles. Chapters are divided into rhythm, form, wind bands and jazz bands, and practice. Musical examples are provided on an accompanying audio CD and help illuminate abstract concepts. Marsalis's writing is warm and encouraging, especially the last chapter on practice, which should be of great use for the fledgling musician. Also included are biographical sketches of composers featured in the book, a glossary of terms, and a key to the CD including the corresponding numbers. Highly recomended for public libraries, this work should fill a void in young adult music education and could be of help to any neophyte wanting to learn music basics.-Ronald S. Russ, Brooklyn P.L.