In this beautiful book, Pulitzer Prize—winning musician and composer Wynton Marsalis draws upon lessons he’s learned from a lifetime in...
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reviews
Nov 02, 2010
Chris
rated it: 
This was perhaps one of the most inspiring and captivating pieces of non-fiction I have ever read. This book is about what Jazz is and how the influence and understanding of Jazz (truly the best thing that Americans have created) can affect every aspect of your life. Even if you're not a musician, this book is extremely approachable and will help you become familiar with one of the best and most innovative forms of American art. Though it is not completely auto-biographical, the reader gets
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Dec 28, 2009
Shanahanthomas
rated it: 
Wynton's thesis: Jazz = Democracy.
In this book, Marsalis describes the history of Jazz as a uniquely American form of music which also contains elements of the most important type of music that can be found anywhere in the World: the Blues. He believes Jazz embodies the aspirations, realities and truth of democracy, human existence, individuality and community all at once. There are some interesting tidbits here. He tells about his struggles with racism and his own bigotry and ange More...
In this book, Marsalis describes the history of Jazz as a uniquely American form of music which also contains elements of the most important type of music that can be found anywhere in the World: the Blues. He believes Jazz embodies the aspirations, realities and truth of democracy, human existence, individuality and community all at once. There are some interesting tidbits here. He tells about his struggles with racism and his own bigotry and ange More...
Dec 20, 2009
Beronica
rated it: 
Overall, I like the book. The beginning was inspirational and a neat background to Marsalis' life. The jazz history lessons, chapter song list and insight into some of the greatest Jazz musicians is cool. I am still in awe about Louis Armstrong. Disillusioned with Dizzy Galespie because the TV, like Sesame St, portray the musician and not the man. I know, people are people and don't judge. Then, there was the chapter about Miles Davis that read like his on and spiraling on life of drug
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Feb 06, 2010
Cam
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My dad lent me this book because of our long-standing mutual interest in jazz and his hero-worship of Marsalis. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked it up, and was a bit concerned that I was getting into another new age feel-good pointlessness. However, Marsalis lived up to his reputation and delivered a fun book that touched on the history of some of jazz's main players, his own history, some fundamental aspects of jazz, and argued a case for jazz's ability to influence society and
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Sep 16, 2011
Mark
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An interesting partial autobiography of Wynton Marsalis, seeing how he grew up with various jazz and blues experiences. His views on jazz, how it was created, and how it has progressed in our culture to popularity are very interesting and insightful. He gives a wonderful overview of jazz greats in one chapter, summarizing their work and what they brought to the genre, and recommending albums from each artist. Most of all, Wynton portrays jazz as the ideal representation of American freedom and d
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Mar 07, 2010
Marc
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This is a fascinating collection of essays on jazz. They are of varying interest and quality but do build to a powerful climax equating the essential nature of jazz and living a meaningful existence in society today. the chapter on jazz terminology looked to be dry reading at first glance. I admit that I was tempted to skip this chapter except for the fact that I was wondering if this would be valuable for my students. Wynton's way of discussing jazz terminology shed a new light on many asp
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May 31, 2011
Maureen
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This book had been on my "to read" bookshelf much too long. I wish I had read it sooner. Recently, I have found myself drawn to listening jazz and blues much more than regularly. After reading it, I understand why. I am looking for music for meat on its bones, and the place to find that is definitely in jazz and blues. Why? Because as Marsalis eloquently states, the starting point for playing jazz is the complete mastery of one's instrument. This has to be combined with the abil
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Oct 22, 2008
Robert
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This is one of the finest, most eloquent, sincere, creative, and humanly rendered discussions of jazz I have ever read.
This should be required reading for all musicians.
I say that a musician and a composer who has explored and studied numerous genres, concepts, and theories over the years.
This book stands out from all those others because of its humility, depth, and clarity are, in my opinion, unmatched by all the other music books I encountered in my life.
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This should be required reading for all musicians.
I say that a musician and a composer who has explored and studied numerous genres, concepts, and theories over the years.
This book stands out from all those others because of its humility, depth, and clarity are, in my opinion, unmatched by all the other music books I encountered in my life.
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Jan 01, 2012
Richard
rated it:
Wynton Marsalis' "Moving to Higher Ground," has the sub-title, "How Jazz can Change Your Life," and he seems to have created a new hybrid, the jazz memoir self-help book. He's done a pretty good job of it.
Mr. Marsalis gives us history, memoir, musical theory, and pocket biographies of the innovators - where he rakes Miles over the coals for being a young genius and an old sell-out. Mr. Marsalis educates and inspires, and doesn't pull his punches.
In Mr. More...
Mr. Marsalis gives us history, memoir, musical theory, and pocket biographies of the innovators - where he rakes Miles over the coals for being a young genius and an old sell-out. Mr. Marsalis educates and inspires, and doesn't pull his punches.
In Mr. More...
Jun 29, 2009
tangled.up.in.blue
rated it:
I am a jazz fan, but not a music student, so what was interesting to me about this book was Marsalis's explanations of some of the structure of jazz music.
There were a few times I thought he sounded like a grumpy old man when he was talking about hip-hop and "kids these days" but I guess maybe I'm getting old too because I did agree with a lot of it.
There were a few times I thought he sounded like a grumpy old man when he was talking about hip-hop and "kids these days" but I guess maybe I'm getting old too because I did agree with a lot of it.
Jan 06, 2009
Trey
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I liked this book, but did not enjoy it as much as To a Young Jazz Musician. To me, it felt like this book was aimed more at the uninitiated person just testing the waters of jazz. As a musician and lover of jazz, I was underwhelmed at the depth of the book and didn't get as much inspiration out of it as the aforementioned book.
That said, I enjoyed the stories of his youth, the personal tales of exploits of great jazzmen that I would have never known otherwise and the familiar way More...
That said, I enjoyed the stories of his youth, the personal tales of exploits of great jazzmen that I would have never known otherwise and the familiar way More...
Apr 09, 2009
Mike
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The book was okay; the jazz histories, anecdotes, and stories are neat but he really stretches when he tries to write self-help "the world would only be a better place" type passages. He does manage to come across with intelligence and much less douchebaggery than he usually does, however.
Jan 23, 2011
Jeff
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This is just an awesome book that both communicates Marsalias' views on life and the joy of living with observations from a life in jazz. He includes a section on 12 musicians with must listen CDs for each. Definitely surprising inspiration.
Mar 03, 2010
Curtis
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Engaging, simple, articulate breakdown of the cultural and musical foundation of jazz music--past and present. The passionate, conversational Marsalis breaks down the music and explains that it's not an art form for snobs to enjoy as it's been painted--it's fun, enriching, dynamic, and relevant music that can be enjoyed by all. If you've ever been curious about jazz but intimidated by its seeming austerity, pick up this book. 166 pages of fun--Marsalis has a big, distinctly New Orleans personali
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Dec 26, 2011
This is a book discussion read. But, I have always admired Wynton Marsalis' ability to waiver between classical and jazz. I subscribe to his site on ITunes and learned of this book, which I recommended to my reading group. He is, truly, in my estibmation, an American Teasure. Even though this is a re-read for me, I'm going to enjoy it. This has been beyond my expectation. As an amateur musician (piano) I appreciated the musical tech-talk and the background of the metrics in jazz. The last part o
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Apr 26, 2009
Jose
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good book for beginners w/jazz...liked parts of it, but disagreed about his take on miles' electric period, and coltrane's later stage of playing.
Nov 18, 2008
Dennis
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scratches the surface of the ins and outs of jazz music and how it could improve your life. admittedly, there is a lot to be said for good jazz and the active listening skills it fosters. however, other forms of music can reach the same ends. but, no other form of music is as american as jazz music, and i agree with marsalis that it is worth preserving for posterity. the autobiographical parts are scattered throughout the book appear out of nowhere. i found this a bit distracting. the artist rec
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Jan 19, 2009
Marlon
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While Marsalis' stories were a pleasure to read, especially about his childhood, I found this book to be a difficult read overall. Maybe if I read it again some other day, it will all make sense, kind of like jazz. I usually come away with something after finishing a book, but for some reason, I couldn't with this one.
I did like the recommendations of certain jazz artists that Marsalis highlights, but I don't know...I felt that something was missing after putting it down.
I did like the recommendations of certain jazz artists that Marsalis highlights, but I don't know...I felt that something was missing after putting it down.
Oct 18, 2008
Christa
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Loved it - one of the best books I've ever read. Wynton Marsalis does a beautiful job of illustrating why music and music education is so critical to create a stable, more peaceful world. Never melodramatic or over the top, he has great stories and illustrations of how music changed his life and how it can change yours, too.
Jan 01, 2012
Anna Maria
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Marsalis is such a great ambassador for Jazz and the arts. I had the privilege of hearing him and the JLCO this summer. He gives his heart and soul to performing and to inspiring the whole musician. Proves he can do it with words too.
Oct 25, 2008
Kip
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Nice writing about his life, music, jazz in particular. The 'life lessons' are occasionally insightful, but too often get in the way of the good stuff -- some of which is really good.
Oct 22, 2008
John Allen
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This is a must read if you are interested in Jazz at any level. If you have no clue of what Jazz is about or if you are very familiar with Jazz you will find a lot in this book.
Dec 19, 2009
Hapzydeco
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Marsalis notes that a musician knows when people are listening---and inspired listening makes for inspired playing. This tome makes for inspired reading.
Feb 02, 2011
stopped reading this for now...good to where I stopped. Will pick up again later
Jan 26, 2012
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