The trick with a joint biography, particularly when the subjects’ lives have already been chronicled elsewhere, is for the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts, for the collective appraisal to illuminate truths that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Jazz should be a fitting arena for an approach built around finding unexpected harmonies. In THE JAZZ MEN, Larry Tye considers three true legends in concert: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Of course, they never performed together in concert, which Tye acknowledges. We’re asked to imagine such a collaboration as Tye repeatedly states that while this trio of titans admired each other, their interactions were limited. Tye never mounts a convincing argument for studying them in unison outside the obvious links of race, age, and profession. He routinely tosses in somewhat strained comparisons. Duke is Shakespeare, Satchmo is Twain, and Basie is a musical everyman. Ellington represents the future, Armstrong the past, while the Count makes music anyone can understand. (As those examples illustrate, Basie, the least lionized of the three, comes in third again here.) Tye has done the research, and there are some strong sections, like his repeated engagement with the issue of how Armstrong is perceived by Black audiences and entertainers as civil rights move to the fore, and the passages on Ellington’s relationship with Billy Strayhorn and his interest in more esoteric music later in his career. Overall, though, the book moves diligently and at times ploddingly along, looking at each man in turn through a series of prisms: their theme songs, their relationships with women, money, and gangsters. At times, Tye blatantly reaches. If you want to know about Armstrong’s love of laxatives or why Ellington was afraid of anything green, your questions will be answered. THE JAZZ MEN knows all the notes, but it never swings.

This book is a parallel biography of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong. They each had a very long, successful and influential career. And they each experienced the discrimination faced by Black men in America. The book covers a tremendous amount of territory: their childhoods, early careers, experiences on the road, involvement with the civil rights movement, the women in their lives, their major works and their deaths. At times, it felt too detailed. I didn’t need to know every single town visited on a tour. However, this book adds to my appreciation of these men. I have always loved Ellington (his symphonies should not be missed), I should listen to Basie more, and I may give Armstrong another chance (I’m not a huge fan). 4.5 stars (Note that I received a free copy of this book, after I had already read and reviewed the book.)

I loved reading about the history of these great men and legends. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher. This book is perfect for our library.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Mariner Books for an advance copy of this musical history, biography, cultural study about three artists, who changed music, history and lives with their gifts and their chops.

Louis Armstrong. Count Basie. Duke Ellington. Three titans of entertainment, whose names will resound through history as long as humans have ears. They changed music, the way people were viewed, they changed lives, sometimes in not so positive ways, and the way a particular music genre was thought of. Sent by the United States Government as proof of American exceptionalism and goodwill, they would perform before thousands. Yet in their own America, they couldn't get a sandwich, or a room because of segregation and racism. Complicated men, who were geniuses, with family lives that could be considered difficult, at least for one, finally happy for at least two. The The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America by Larry Tye, is a look at these three titans, their lives, and legacy and of course jazz.

The book begins with separate chapters describing the early days, birth, musical training, education and early troubles, of which there was many. Ellington was a man of thought great things about himself from an early age, and formed his life and manners to conform to that dream. Armstrong was a scamp who started dancing for coins, moved in to music, and petty theft, finding himself and mentors in reform school who taught him much. Basie was born in New Jersey, with parents who kept a lot of secrets, which music was an escape from. The book than explores various themes such as religion, gambling, road stories, and fame. Basie was a huge gambler and lost so much on the horses that he had to reduce his band in numbers, and tour just to pay off his losses. Ellington hated to lose so much he would bet on all the numbers. As fame grew so did the pressures, not just to succeed, but how the public perceived them. Most thought of Armstrong as sort of a minstrel singer. Ellington until his Newport resurgence was thought of as washed up. And all were not thought of as not doing enough for the civil rights movement. Something that bothered all three men.

A book that is about much more than just music. Tye is a very good writer, and an amazing researcher, tracking down stories, even a few different stories to try and get to the truth. I like the themes for the chapters as it is easier to get insight into these men, knowing that while years might serperate them, all of them had the same problems. Being African-American meant huge problems touring. And something I never thought of, huge losses in revenue, as the entertainment field would not pay black entertainers near what they would pay whites. Plus Tye discusses some of the famous black woman in jazz history, and gives them their due. The way Tye presents everything gives a real insight into these men. Reading about Ellington working with Billy Strayhorn creating a song, Armstrong buying ice cream for the neighborhood kids, Basie suddenly lost without his wife, his health fading still doing shows because that is what he knew. Really beautiful writing.

Recommended for jazz fans of course, and anyone interested in musical history. Also this is a great look at an era in America where music, life, and people were changing, even if they didn't want to. A great book, and one of my new favorites on jazz.

Thank you Net Gallery, publisher Mariner Books and author Larry Tye for the opportunity to read the arc ebook, “The Jazzmen”

Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie. How could three names elicit so much about music, history, culture, and human perseverance? Larry Tye has given us a book that, more than any other, details the life and times of that “trinity of jazz figures” that cast their spell over America and eventually the world. Tracing the lives of Armstrong, Ellington and Basie from their earliest years until their ultimate passing this incredibly researched book gifts us with the most detailed account of their careers, their personal lives, the impact their music had on their audiences and, of course, where and how race played such pivotal roles. There was jazz and there was an unforgiving cruel wall of prejudice, violence and social station. Louis, The Duke and The Count had to negotiate every single obstacle, not merely as black men in white America, but as artists destined to alter the musical art forever. Each led a band of musicians touring the land, avoiding trouble and tragedy, keeping bookings and salaries solid, enjoying the benefits of success and rising above the setbacks both small and large. Like Major League Baseball teams their bands featured incredibly great members ….some for four or more decades. On buses, trains and in cars they played one and two nighters, enjoyed professional residencies in hotels, clubs, ballrooms and casinos. The advent of both recordings and radio airplay, national and international tours…even film became outlets for their personas, their unique styles, their world-famous hits and their wide enthusiastic acceptance. Tye leads us thru their individual foibles, struggles, personal styles of leadership and their family ties and relationships. Three jazz giants, each moving forcefully thru fifty year careers becomes a musical journey of life laid bare and the living map of an art form. Unafraid to tackle the most traumatic issues of racial prejudice the book, specifically in later chapters, deals how each great man reacted and responded. In “Satchmo’s” case we view the aspersions cast upon a beloved idol so mistakenly accused of playing the white man’s game. Armstrong, like his two fellow musical giants, was a man of hidden qualities and heroic constitution. I heartily recommend “The Jazz Men” by Larry Tye for anyone interested in jazz history, American culture and the rich detailed lives of three great and gifted men.