 Joe
"King" Oliver was a giant of the jazz world in every sense. He was
big in stature, towering over his contemporaries in the stately
manner acquired in his days as a butler, as well as big in heart,
pressing on with his music when everything seemed stacked against
him. He was unquestionably the leading exponent of what became known
as "The New Orleans Style", with its emphasis on solid ensemble
playing rather than spectacular solo work. His music was infectious
and enhanced the careers of others who went on to become New Orleans
legends, such as Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong. We trace Joe's life
from his rise to prominence in New Orleans, especially in
Storyville, through the gangster-controlled cabarets and clubs of
Chicago, on to New York and beyond that, to the harsh demands of
taking a band on tour in the unforgiving roads of America. We follow
Joe on to Savannah, where Joe ended his days like many a jazz
pioneer in poverty and obscurity. Joe Oliver lives on today. It is
scarcely possible to sit through a Jazz Band set anywhere in the
world without coming across an item by King Oliver. My hope is that
this book will cause the reader, next time that happens, to draw in
their mind a vivid picture of a wonderful man. Ron Cassidy's
previous work was the highly successful Ottilie: Star of County
Down.
|
KING OF NEW ORLEANS:
THE STORY OF JOE OLIVER
ISBN: 978-0-9568 108-4-7 210
pp £8.00 $12.00
Published by Broomfields
Publishing, Manchester, UK
roncassidy60@gmail.com |
|