Jackson Street After Hours: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle [B1839]

1993 HCDJ from Sasquatch Books with 238-glossy pages, in nice clean condition. Winner of the Washington Governor's Writers Award. Note: this scarce book sells for $20+ online.

From the Jacket flap: "From 1920 to 1956, Seattle's Jackson Street pulsated around the clock with the lively rhythms, energetic harmonies, and inimitable melodies of jazz. Some of the era's true greats played the city, including Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker, and many of them sat in on the music-making sessions that took place in the after-hours spots and bottle clubs. In 1948, two dozen nightclubs lined Jackson Street, overflowing with jazz music, dancing patrons, and bootleg liquor. More than one noteworthy career was launched in this creative atmosphere: Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Ernestine Anderson are just a few of the musicians who developed their art in Seattle." Vintage photographs and 24 contemporary portraits capture the style and flavor of Jackson Street and its jazz legacy. Based on extensive interviews with jazz musicians, this significant new volume documents the smokey rooms, Prohibition antics, wartime parties, and unforgettable riffs that characterized great moments in Pacific Northwest jazz.

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "The best and possibly only book on the history of jazz in Seattle."; "It was a worthwhile read and I learned a lot. Influential but now unknown names like Bumps Blackwell, Pony Poindexter and Neil Friel are now at home in my head. It was also fun learning the popular but long-gone venues back in the day -- the Trianon Ballroom, the Black and Tan Club, the New Chinatown, the Rocking Chair, the 908 Club, the Mardi Gras, the Savoy Ballroom, Pete's Poop Deck, the Llahngaelhyn. Part of the narrative shines a light on Seattle's history of race relations. It was interesting learning about the separate black and white musician's unions, and how a Seattle musician successfully defeated proposed legislation to outlaw interracial marriage. Finally, it's impossible to read this book for long without missing the excitement, hubris and fellowship of playing music in bands."; "I was born in Seattle and knew some of these people. We drove past the Black and Tan club to get home from my Aunts house and reading this book brought back memories."; "Great to have this book about jazz. As a teenager Iattended many of the clubs and am still an avid fan of jazz."; "Very good book. Well documented with great pictures."