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Born in 1912, John Levy soon became the top black talent manager in
popular and jazz music. He was an accomplished bass player with
Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Billie Holiday and George Shearing, the
white, blind British pianist who led one of the handful of integrated
jazz bands of its day. But in 1951, with Shearing's support, he turned
to full-time management. Since then, Levy has brought his clients --
more than 85 entertainers -- from sometimes total anonymity to
top-drawer standing.
His long-awaited account is not only a testament to individual
creativity and perseverance. It is also a colorful behind-the-scenes
report of what the giants of America's most important musical form
were doing-both on and off stage.
Now finally, Levy describes his association with celebrities like
Duke Ellington, Ben Webster, Joe Williams, Cannonball Adderley,
Randy Crawford, Roberta Flack, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard,
Ahmad Jamal, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, Wes Montgomery,
George Shearing, Stanley Turrentine, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams,
and Nancy Wilson.
Devra Hall is a prolific chronicler of jazz luminaries. Her work
includes liner notes for recordings by Oscar Peterson, Joe Williams,
and Jim Hall, among others. She has also written for and has been
music and talent coordinator of television programs and jazz videos.
Press Release "John Levy Named NEA Jazz Master."
EXCERPT FROM JOHN LEVY'S MEN, WOMEN, AND GIRL SINGERS:
MY LIFE AS A JAZZ MUSICIAN TURNED TALENT MANAGER
Click above for sample pages (in PDF format).
Price: $12.95
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