For half a century Frank Yankovic wowed polka fans around the globe with hits such as ?Just Because? and ?The Blue Skirt Waltz.? He traveled the country, sold millions of records, and won the first Polka Grammy. The Cleveland native found fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams. But behind the happy sounds of the accordion stood a man obsessed with trying to please himself and the ones he loved. With a tumultuous touring schedule that consisted of 200 shows a year, a restless temper and three failed marriages, Yankovic found himself being distanced from reality. Author Bob Dolgan delves into the life of America's Polka king and tells the tale of not only a musician, but of a man struggling for happiness.
In 2015 University Press of Mississippi published Mississippi Fiddle Tunes and Songs from the 1930s by Harry Bolick and Stephen T. Austin to critical acclaim and commercial success. Roughly half of Mississippi’s rich, old-time fiddle tradition was documented in that volume and Harry Bolick has spent the intervening years working on this book, its sequel. Beginning with Tony Russell’s original mid-1970s fieldwork as a reference, and later working with Russell, Bolick located and transcribed all of the Mississippi 78 rpm string band recordings. Some of the recording artists like the Leake County Revelers, Hoyt Ming and His Pep Steppers, and Narmour & Smith had been well known in the state. Others, like the Collier Trio, were obscure. This collecting work was followed by many field trips to Mississippi searching for and locating the children and grandchildren of the musicians. Previously unheard recordings and stories, unseen photographs and discoveries of nearly unknown local fiddlers, such as Jabe Dillon, John Gatwood, Claude Kennedy, and Homer Grice, followed. The results are now available in this second, companion volume, Fiddle Tunes from Mississippi: Commercial and Informal Recordings, 1920–2018. Two hundred and seventy musical examples supplement the biographies and photographs of the thirty-five artists documented here. Music comes from commercial recordings and small pressings of 78 rpm, 45 rpm, and LP records; collectors’ field recordings; and the musicians’ own home tape and disc recordings. Taken together, these two volumes represent a delightfully comprehensive survey of Mississippi’s fiddle tunes.
"Simple text and supportive images introduce beginning readers to the characteristics of the season of summer. Intended for students in kindergarten through third grade"--Provided by publisher.
"Bix Beiderbecke is a figure of legend: the white cornetist's short life (1903-1931) fit the myth of the tragic artist, surrounded by the nostalgia of an era (Prohibition), and rooted in the dark history of jazz. Considered a genius by his fans and fellow musicians, Bix was a master cornet player, pianist, and composer, and one of the most inspiring jazz musicians of his age." "French jazz scholar Jean Pierre Lion traveled the trajectory of Bix's life, from birth to death, to boarding school, on tour, and beyond, to uncover the truth behind the legend. He creates historical ambience with descriptions of 1920s Chicago - ruled by Al Capone and peopled with fast cars, flappers, and hot jazz musicians - and Bix's personality is revealed through excerpts from the few letters he wrote in his lifetime and the memories of friends and witnesses of the jazz age." "When he died, Bix left behind a tremendous list of recordings (included here in a definitive discography) and several original compositions. This biography culls the entirety of Bix scholarship into one volume, painting a complete picture of the man, his music, and his times."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This series was written for piano students who enjoy showing off their talent at recitals, competitions and festivals. The technical patterns in the pieces help develop strength and dexterity in the fingers, as well as evenness and clarity of tone. Book 1 features spirited and exotic works that adventurous late elementary and early intermediate pianists will find most satisfying. These pieces are also a great way to encouraged students who are a bit more reserved to reach for more emotive performances.
