Any Jazz fans out there?

[Nosha123]

I need to find something Jazz related I can buy for someone who is turning 75 this week (a YOUNG 75 though)...
Can anyone recommend a good Jazz autobiography? Or a good book?
Or any other ideas?

[HowardKennitby]

Any particular style of jazz?

[joggerjayne]

If, like me, you think that the best jazz recording of all time is Art Pepper's One September Afternoon (yes yes ... I like it even more than Miles Davis's A Kind Of Blue), then this looks interesting ...

http://www.allaboutja...p/article.php?id=1353

[NOX]

I had the pleasure of knowing George Melly in real life, and can vouch for the fact that he was an hilarious individual. I haven't read his autobiography but if it's anything as amusing as the man it'll be a winner. It's called 'Scouse Mouse' I believe.

[joggerjayne]

Ooh, good call, noxy

[jno]

Melly wrote three of them, collected here:

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

I believe the name of one of them - Rum, Bum and Concertina - was the naval equivalent of wine, women and song.

[Nosha123]

thanks guys! Very helpful!
I didnt know there was more than one style of Jazz.. so have no idea which he prefers.. but this is a great starting point!

[tamborine]

amy winehouse album, lonliness

[The Builder]

Ian Carr's definitive biography of Miles Davis is excellent Nosha.
For something more general, try Richard Crook's Jazz Encyclopedia........... or
Jazz - The Rough guide by Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, and Brian Priestley.

[tonyav]

I thought they were made by Honda !

[funnygirl]

How about a jazz boxset something for your friend to listen to???

http://www.amazon.com...hout/lm/1JINVCRKL652X

[Nosha123]

so many excellent suggestions! Thanks all

[sandyRoe]

I like Django Reinhardt + Stephan Grappelli. Their Ultimate Collection CD is available on Amazon for less than £6.

[lady-janine]

you realy need to find out what style of jazz.

[lady-janine]

even really

[Old_Geezer]

I like most styles of jazz, but I'm not fanatical about anything such that I study and can speak authoritatively on it. So sorry, no suggestions, but others seem to know more anyway :-)

But to ramble on as usual: I used to live in Ealing and almost always went to the annual free Jazz Festival there. Not as good as it used to be though, cut down in hours/days, and now they charge to enter the walled off bit. Time was when one could buy a reasonably priced ticket to get to the front seats away from those who just wished to chat and picnic their way through the performances, but the prices rose and now there is no ticketed front bit, so you take your chances on getting a good seat. Easier when not on your own as someone can always fight off others who want the seats you've grabbed while another goes to the bar or food stalls.

[karenmac60]

Are there any clubs in your area that do a jazz afternoon? There is a pub in Glasgow that has a jazz band on every Saturday, it's mainly older people that go and it is fantastic! It's like stepping back in time with lots of older couples up dancing and having turns singing along. Maybe if there was something like that you could take them along.

[Nosha123]

Thanks all! I bought the 'out of print' book Swing Swing Swing as a recommendation from his wife! Second handbook from amazon. He was thrilled with it!