{"title":"Aidan Levy","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the fascinating world of jazz legends through the engaging writings of \u003cem\u003eAidan Levy\u003c\/em\u003e. Renowned for his deep dives into the lives of musicians who have shaped the soundscape of the 20th century, Aidan Levy captures the essence of his subjects with a clarity and passion that resonates on every page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLevy's work, especially noted in titles such as \u003cstrong\u003eSaxophone Colossus\u003c\/strong\u003e, delves into the journey and legacy of iconic saxophonist Sonny Rollins. His books provide an insightful blend of biography and memoir, offering readers a comprehensive view of the personal and professional lives of influential artists. With a keen eye for detail and a narrative style that is both informative and engaging, Levy's books are a must-read for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eImmerse yourself in the vibrant history of jazz and uncover the stories behind the tunes with Aidan Levy's beautifully written works.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"saxophone-colossus-by-aidan-levy-9780306902802","title":"Saxophone Colossus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWinner of the American Book Award (2023)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLonglisted for the PEN\/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award (2023)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe long-awaited first full biography of legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSonny Rollins has long been considered an enigma. Known as the \"Saxophone Colossus,\" he is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz improvisers of all time, winning Grammys, the Austrian Cross of Honour, Sweden's Polar Music Prize, and a National Medal of Arts. A bridge from bebop to the avant-garde, he is a lasting link to the golden age of jazz, pictured in the iconic \"Great Day in Harlem\" portrait. His seven-decade career has been well documented, but the backstage life of the man once called \"the only jazz recluse\" has gone largely untold—until now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on more than 200 interviews with Rollins himself, family members, friends, and collaborators, as well as Rollins' extensive personal archive, \u003ci\u003eSaxophone Colossus\u003c\/i\u003e is the comprehensive portrait of this legendary saxophonist and composer, civil rights activist, and environmentalist. A child of the Harlem Renaissance, Rollins' precocious talent landed him on the bandstand and in the recording studio with Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie, or playing opposite Billie Holiday. An icon in his own right, he recorded \u003ci\u003eTenor Madness\u003c\/i\u003e, featuring John Coltrane; \u003ci\u003eWay Out West\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eFreedom Suite\u003c\/i\u003e, the first civil rights-themed album of the hard bop era; \u003ci\u003eA Night at the Village Vanguard\u003c\/i\u003e; and the 1956 classic \u003ci\u003eSaxophone Colossus\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet his meteoric rise to fame was not without its challenges. He served two sentences on Rikers Island and won his battle with heroin addiction. In 1959, Rollins took a two-year sabbatical from recording and performing, practising up to 16 hours a day on the Williamsburg Bridge. In 1968, he left again to study at an ashram in India. He returned to performing from 1971 until his retirement in 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of Sonny Rollins—innovative, unpredictable, larger than life—is the story of jazz itself, and Sonny's own narrative is as timeless and timely as the art form he represents. Part jazz oral history told in the musicians' own words, part chronicle of one man's quest for social justice and spiritual enlightenment, this is the definitive biography of one of the most enduring and influential artists in jazz and American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46845735403756,"sku":"9780306902802","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/6768393482297.jpg?v=1758891674"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/aidan-levy.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}