As Serious As Your Life

Name: As Serious As Your Life
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781788160711
Price: 37.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

Black Music and the Free Jazz Revolution, 1957–1977

By Val Wilmer

Series: Serpent's Tail Classics

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4.31

( 668 ratings, 46 reviews)

Summary

As Serious As Your Life is a classic account of the revolutionary black music movement of the 1960s and 70s. Val Wilmer, acclaimed photographer and jazz historian, explores the rise of African-American artists such as Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sun Ra. Set within their political and social contexts, Wilmer captures an era of extraordinary musical innovation and activism that remains influential today.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$37⁹⁹

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As Serious As Your Life

$37⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers with an interest in jazz, African-American history, music activism, and 20th-century cultural movements. Also suited for music historians, sociologists, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of art and political change.

An essential masterpiece of jazz history by the renowned photographer and music historian, with a new foreword by Richard Williams.

An essential masterpiece of jazz history by renowned photographer and music historian, with a new foreword by Richard Williams

Description

In this classic account of the new black music of the 1960s and 70s, celebrated photographer and jazz historian Val Wilmer tells the story of how a generation of revolutionary musicians established black music as the true vanguard of American culture. Placing the achievements of African-American artists such as Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sun Ra in their broader political and social context, Wilmer evokes an era of extraordinary innovation and experimentation that continues to inspire musicians today.

As vital now as when it was first published in 1977, As Serious As Your Life is the essential story of one of the most dynamic musical movements of the twentieth century.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as a masterpiece of jazz history, the book has been celebrated for its passionate portrayal of the new black music as a cultural vanguard. Reviewers highlight its illuminating perspective on jazz and its social struggles, calling it a powerful and proud chronicle. It is regarded as indispensable reading for understanding America’s classical music, with compelling insights into the musicians' lives and politics.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788160711

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 March 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Edition: Main - Classic Edition

Illustration: Sixteen-page plate section featuring original photography from Val Wilmer's archives

Contributors:

Foreword by Richard Williams

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 338g

Pages: 432

Collections

Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Series: Serpent's Tail Classics Val Wilmer

About the Author

Val Wilmer is an internationally acclaimed photographer, journalist, author and black music historian who has been documenting African-American music since 1959. In that time she has interviewed and photographed almost every significant figure in post-war jazz, blues and R as a writer and historian, she has contributed to the Oxford Dictionary Of National Biography and the New Grove Dictionary Of Jazz. She lives in London.