On the Flip Side of Sound

by Valery Ponomarev

Comments on the "Valery Ponomarev's story is electrifying and inspiring. Most of all, it's living proof that dedication to truth and beauty can and must triumph over artificially imposed impediments."Bob Bernotas (Jazz journalist, author, and radio host) Finally, the world gets to read Valery Ponomarev's story! The main points are that in addition to being a fine trumpet player, Valery is a skilled storyteller and that his story never fails to enchant, inform and inspire my students and that now the world will get to hear it.Nina d'Alessandro (Professor, Faculty of Arts and Science, New York University)

316 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Christopher Heaney]

I'll be very generous & give this one three stars. Not without interest, particularly the section on VP's tenure w/ Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. However, the book is poorly organized and at point incoherent. The fact that English is the author's second language factors into this. The book is badly in need of a proofreader/editor. Many embarrassing spelling errors, particularly names, hurts the book.

[Marian Yee]

Whenever an individual leaves Russia to live in the US, it is always intriguing. More intriguing is the fact that he permeates the top ranks of the American jazz scene, becoming a trumpeter with the legendary The Messengers in New York and travels around the world at enviable venues.
Top that off w/ an autographed copy & a hug from Valery, himself,just makes it more personal.