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From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall
WINNER of the NYC BIG BOOK COMPETITION in the Autobiography category
WINNER • Literary Titan Gold Award • BookFest Silver Award • Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review
FINALIST • National Indie Excellence Awards • Indie Book Awards
PRAISE FROM KIRKUS "An intimate, candid look at the highs and lows of one musician's artistic pursuit."
"From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall shows how effort and perseverance can turn dreams into reality...a testament to inspiration and resilience." - Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
Dive into an Inspiring Journey from NYC Streets to the Grand Stages of the A Musician's Tale of Grit and Glory
One afternoon David Singer was performing at the White House and that evening he was back behind the wheel of a New York City taxi. He shared the stage at Carnegie Hall with legends of classical music, only to find himself weeks later scaling fences and evading guard dogs to sell welding supplies before dawn.
Through these vivid extremes, Singer's memoir captures not only the challenges of a life in music but also the resilience and determination required to keep moving forward. His story is rooted in history-his parents' experiences during the Depression and the Holocaust-and shaped by the profound mentorship of Rudolf Jettel, a savior to many Jews and Singer's self-proclaimed "musical father."
From teaching young musicians to acclaimed performances at the Marlboro Music Festival and with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Singer's journey is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of music, perseverance, and never giving up.
From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall is not only a chronicle of musical achievement-it is an inspiring story of resilience and triumph that will resonate with dreamers, strivers, and music lovers alike.
WINNER • Literary Titan Gold Award • BookFest Silver Award • Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review
FINALIST • National Indie Excellence Awards • Indie Book Awards
PRAISE FROM KIRKUS "An intimate, candid look at the highs and lows of one musician's artistic pursuit."
"From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall shows how effort and perseverance can turn dreams into reality...a testament to inspiration and resilience." - Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review
Dive into an Inspiring Journey from NYC Streets to the Grand Stages of the A Musician's Tale of Grit and Glory
One afternoon David Singer was performing at the White House and that evening he was back behind the wheel of a New York City taxi. He shared the stage at Carnegie Hall with legends of classical music, only to find himself weeks later scaling fences and evading guard dogs to sell welding supplies before dawn.
Through these vivid extremes, Singer's memoir captures not only the challenges of a life in music but also the resilience and determination required to keep moving forward. His story is rooted in history-his parents' experiences during the Depression and the Holocaust-and shaped by the profound mentorship of Rudolf Jettel, a savior to many Jews and Singer's self-proclaimed "musical father."
From teaching young musicians to acclaimed performances at the Marlboro Music Festival and with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Singer's journey is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of music, perseverance, and never giving up.
From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall is not only a chronicle of musical achievement-it is an inspiring story of resilience and triumph that will resonate with dreamers, strivers, and music lovers alike.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
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5 people want to read
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February 19, 2025
David Singer’s memoir, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall, is a captivating journey through a life filled with dramatic contrasts, remarkable resilience, and a passion for music. The story begins with Singer's strikingly surreal day of performing at the White House before returning to drive a taxi on the gritty streets of New York. The book seamlessly weaves together the grandeur of international concert halls with the harsh realities of survival, creating an inspiring story of a life lived in extremes. His story also ventures deeply into family history, exploring themes of trauma, perseverance, and the transformative power of art.
What makes this memoir truly shine is Singer’s ability to bring to life the dichotomy of his experiences. He vividly describes performing with the Vienna Philharmonic while still grappling with the scars of a tumultuous upbringing. One of the most compelling sections recounts his relationship with Rudolf Jettel, a mentor who helped shape his artistic journey while also standing as a hero who saved lives during the Holocaust. These stories add layers of depth and humanity to the story. His accounts of working odd jobs, like selling welding supplies at dawn, make the glamour of Carnegie Hall feel earned.
Singer’s writing is raw and unflinching when delving into his personal struggles. His reflections on a childhood filled with parental abuse and the long shadow it cast over his life are both heartbreaking and hopeful. The honesty in these moments feels brave, especially when he revisits painful family dynamics. However, he also balances this with humor and warmth, particularly when recounting his adventures as a young clarinetist or his mischievous childhood escapades, like sneaking his dog DeeDee into his room at night.
The book’s pacing is engaging, though at times the transitions between major events in Singer’s life feel abrupt. While this approach mirrors the chaos and unpredictability of his journey, it occasionally left some anecdotes feeling underexplored to me. Despite this, Singer’s voice remains earnest and compelling, drawing the reader into his world with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion.
I recommend From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall to anyone who loves music, tales of perseverance, or stories of triumph over adversity. It’s a particularly enriching read for musicians or anyone navigating a challenging creative path. Singer’s life is a testament to the power of grit and artistry, offering inspiration to those daring enough to dream big, no matter the odds.
What makes this memoir truly shine is Singer’s ability to bring to life the dichotomy of his experiences. He vividly describes performing with the Vienna Philharmonic while still grappling with the scars of a tumultuous upbringing. One of the most compelling sections recounts his relationship with Rudolf Jettel, a mentor who helped shape his artistic journey while also standing as a hero who saved lives during the Holocaust. These stories add layers of depth and humanity to the story. His accounts of working odd jobs, like selling welding supplies at dawn, make the glamour of Carnegie Hall feel earned.
Singer’s writing is raw and unflinching when delving into his personal struggles. His reflections on a childhood filled with parental abuse and the long shadow it cast over his life are both heartbreaking and hopeful. The honesty in these moments feels brave, especially when he revisits painful family dynamics. However, he also balances this with humor and warmth, particularly when recounting his adventures as a young clarinetist or his mischievous childhood escapades, like sneaking his dog DeeDee into his room at night.
The book’s pacing is engaging, though at times the transitions between major events in Singer’s life feel abrupt. While this approach mirrors the chaos and unpredictability of his journey, it occasionally left some anecdotes feeling underexplored to me. Despite this, Singer’s voice remains earnest and compelling, drawing the reader into his world with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion.
I recommend From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall to anyone who loves music, tales of perseverance, or stories of triumph over adversity. It’s a particularly enriching read for musicians or anyone navigating a challenging creative path. Singer’s life is a testament to the power of grit and artistry, offering inspiration to those daring enough to dream big, no matter the odds.
Displaying 1 of 1 review