To a Young Jazz Musician: Letters from the Road

by Wynton Marsalis and Selwyn Seyfu Hinds

Book Overview

In To a Young Jazz Musician, the renowned jazz musician and Pulitzer Prize--winning composer Wynton Marsalis gives us an invaluable guide to making good music-and to leading a good life.
Writing from the road "between the bus ride, the sound check, and the gig,"

Marsalis passes on wisdom gained from experience, addressed to a young musician coming up-and to any of us at any stage of life. He writes that having humility is a way to...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812974204
• ISBN13: 9780812974201
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.8" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Rich in Passion and Wisdom

I am neither particularly young, nor able to justifiably call myself a jazz musican and yet I found this book to be both enjoyable and enlightening. It is rich in wisdom and brimming over with the love Wynton Marsalis has for Jazz and Jazz Musicians. It contains much practical advice and covers his philosophy on music and life. The book comprises ten letters; each is amusing, stimulating, thought provoking and most engaging. It is particularly well written. He has a way with words that makes the reader feel a conversation is being conducted face to face. The letters cover defining a musical objective, retaining humility, being yourself, freedom vs rules in music, the importance of swing, avoiding arrogance, being a custodian of taste and morals, music as art, leadership and friendship. In my view his ideas are masterful and inspiring. It is not written for children, but rather is directed at teenage and young adult musicians. I recommend that those who enjoy this book also buy Wynton's book "Sweet Swing Blues on The Road".