Master of Modernism
One of the many things I love about libraries, unlike bookstores, is the option you have to learn about what's new in the world of lit and being able to walk over to the check out counter with a library item, and take it home... at no cost. One of my stops upon entering a library is the new releases display, which is where I discovered the Thomas Brothers Master of Modernism Louis Armstrong text, published this year 2014. It's a good size text, at least 500 plus pages on Louis (pronounced with the s) whom the intro describes as a "small man who controlled a powerful instrument".
It mentions that the text is accompanied by a music CD, but I didn't notice a CD in the copy I checked out from the library. Reading through the introduction, you just want to dive right into Chapter One, "Welcome to Chicago". In scanning the text, it includes a bunch of photographs, the first a diagram detailing the South Side of Chicago, I'm assuming upon Armstrong's arrival. The next photograph is of Louis, his mother May Ann and sister Beatrice (1922). I stopped going any further than page 13 after learning of a text that precedes this one titled Louis Armstrong's New Orleans also by Thomas Brothers.
Master of Modernism tells the story of Armstrong during the period of his arrival to Chicago in 1922, and ten years after. In the introduction I thought about what Brothers' mentions in learning the musical and social legacies of slavery through figures like Armstrong, and the social analysis of Armstrong's melody, harmony, & rhythm. I've heard of the mentorship between King Oliver & Armstrong through documentaries and a vinyl record I own that displays the two together on the cover... and as much interest as I have in those snapshots, its but a footnote compared to what this text has to offer for those interested in learning about Armstrong beyond the music.
This text is a journey for those of us unaware of Armstrong's creative genius... a chance to become more knowledgeable of his legacy and place in history. It's a thesis study by Brothers, a major part of his life as a writer, scholar, historian, and teacher during a time where the quality of an in depth story, is forced to exist amidst the sound bites of downloads, clips, and wiki talk.
Being that I'm the type that must see, hear, or read part ones before I move on to a part twos, I'm going to take back Master of Modernism to the Richard Burges library in Northeast El Paso in exchange for Brothers' New Orleans text and start there.
With these snapshot reviews, I'm coming at it through the perspective of a library patron with an eye that's always searching and who's approach to reading for fun is scattered across a range of topics, especially when it comes to music. My goal with some of these postings is to bring attention to what we have available to us in our libraries and to connect it to the the concept "Hip Hop Stacks" (will explain more about this later as it has some history)... overall I hope this will encourage readers (& non-readers) towards these resources. I'm also driven to create content and document what catches my attention but with the purpose of promoting the hard work of folks like Thomas Brothers. I believe that everything happens for a reason... even something as simple as finding a new book. Especially considering how big of an accomplishment this is for the writer...it has the potential to inspire something in the reader as well.. We never know.
Below are some videos I found of Thomas Brothers, including a lecture through the Library of Congress. Check it out!
Catalog Links
Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers: click here
Louis Armstrong, Master of Modernism by Thomas Brothers: click here
With these snapshot reviews, I'm coming at it through the perspective of a library patron with an eye that's always searching and who's approach to reading for fun is scattered across a range of topics, especially when it comes to music. My goal with some of these postings is to bring attention to what we have available to us in our libraries and to connect it to the the concept "Hip Hop Stacks" (will explain more about this later as it has some history)... overall I hope this will encourage readers (& non-readers) towards these resources. I'm also driven to create content and document what catches my attention but with the purpose of promoting the hard work of folks like Thomas Brothers. I believe that everything happens for a reason... even something as simple as finding a new book. Especially considering how big of an accomplishment this is for the writer...it has the potential to inspire something in the reader as well.. We never know.
Below are some videos I found of Thomas Brothers, including a lecture through the Library of Congress. Check it out!
Catalog Links
Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers: click here
Louis Armstrong, Master of Modernism by Thomas Brothers: click here
And we'll conclude with a Louis Armstrong song with his Orchestra...one from my personal favorites. ((Song of the Vipers))
Keywords + Tag = Louis Armstrong | Thomas Brothers | Master of Modernism | New Orleans | Chicago | Jazz | King Oliver | trumpet | music | Black history | history | Library of Congress | El Paso Public Library | Richard Burges Library | Hip Hop Stacks | Hip Hop Alumni | Tom Brothers | slavery | social analysis | melody | harmony | rhythm | mentors | W.W. Norton & Company | orchestra | Memphis | I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You | trombone | Preston Jackson | African American | banjo | postracial | modernism | Zippity Do Dah | Chimchimery | trumpeter | Adolphus Cheatham | Chimes Blues | South Side | Lincoln Gardens
No comments:
Post a Comment