For the jazz and blues buffs among us, Val Wilmer’s classic 1977 book on black Americans in jazz ‘As Serious As Your Life’ is getting a new edition on March 1 through Serpent’s Tail. As far as I can tell, it’s had four covers and three subtitles in its time, the original subtitle being ‘The Story of the New Jazz’, then (in 1999) ‘John Coltrane and Beyond’, and now ‘Black Music and the Free Jazz Revolution 1957-77’. The new cover – a rather austere presentation, given the font and layout – is an adaptation of the original cover pic. Richard Williams provides a new foreword.
Publisher’s blurb:
‘In this classic account of the new black music of the 1960s and 70s, celebrated photographer and jazz historian Val Wilmer tells the story of how a generation of revolutionary musicians established black music as the true vanguard of American culture.
Placing the achievements of African-American artists such as Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sun Ra in their broader political and social context, Wilmer evokes an era of extraordinary innovation and experimentation that continues to inspire musicians today.
As vital now as when it was first published in 1977, As Serious As Your Life is the essential story of one of the most dynamic musical movements of the twentieth century.’
And… on March 4, BBC Radio 3 broadcast a new documentary, ‘A Portrait of Val Wilmer’. Val has a tie-in piece in ‘Jazzwise’ and both Mojo and The Wire might be running pieces too.
Just thought I’d let you know…
I imagine Pharoah Sanders may ghet a mention:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upWloBzhVD8
He was rubbish as Jim Morrison though
Not to mention Batman!!! Puh-leeze!!
He was excellent in Twin Peaks.
Thanks for the tip – read this years ago and its excellent but no idea where my copy is now. Likewise, her autobiography is brilliant – though out of print as well I think. She was truly immersed in the jazz life, never just an observer from afar, and knew many of the visiting US jazz giants and Jamaican and African artistes in the early 60s. Great photographer too – mainly jazz but also 60s popsters too…
http://www.snapgalleries.com/portfolio-items/val-wilmer/
Thanks, Colin. I’ll be looking out for both book and documentary.
Thanks, Colin. Haven’t read this one but loved her autobiography, ‘Mama Said There’d Be Days Like These’. Fascinating memories of the British jazz scene including one shocking section where she was abused by a well known US jazz musician on tour in the UK. He isn’t named but clues point to a certain goatee’d trumpeter with an angular trumpet.
I noticed her previous book of essays “Jazz People” on Amazon at £7.70 in paperback. Ordered it.
It’d be good if her autobiography was to be on sale at a sensible price. I’m reluctant to fork out thirty-odd quid for a paperback edition.
This book arrived today from Amazon.
A not especially well-printed paperback, obviously cheaply produced by a non-mainstream publisher, but a decent price for lots of interesting little essays on interesting artists and plenty of her B&W photos, which although printed on the same rough paper stock as the text, are nonetheless reproduced reasonably well.
Should keep me occupied for a day or two once I’ve finished Stanley Crouch’s “Rhythm Oil..” on my kindle.
Correction:
Stanley Booth is the Rhythm Oil.. chap, not Stanley Crouch.
Definitely not Stanley Matthews, because that would just be stupid.