Wynton collaborates for children’s book
Wynton has collaborated with illustrator Paul Rogers and jazz historian Phil Schaap to create a children’s book, Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits. While Rogers developed the concept for the book, he sought the help of Wynton to bring it to fruition. The book will be available in November.
A is for “almighty” Louis Armstrong, whose amazing artistry unfolds in an accumulative poem shaped like the letter he stands for. As for sax master Sonny Rollins, whose “robust style radiates roundness,” could there be a better tribute than a poetic rondeau? In an extraordinary feat, Wynton harmonizes his love and knowledge of jazz’s most celebrated artists with an astounding diversity of poetic forms — from simple blues (Count Basie) to a complex pantoum (Charlie Parker), from a tender sonnet (Sarah Vaughan) to a performance poem snapping the rhythms of Art Blakey to life.
Matching Wynton Marsalis’s musical cadences note for note is the bold, poster-style art of Paul Rogers, highlighted in two phenomenal foldout spreads. The art’s vibrant nostalgic feel is echoed in an exquisite design, with its size simulating an old 78 LP and its endpapers die-cut to mimic a vintage record sleeve. Complete with a discography and brief biographies of the featured musicians as well as notes on the various poetic forms, this is truly an incomparable gift book — for older children learning about jazz, longtime jazz aficionados, lovers of poetry, and readers of all ages who appreciate the finest in book design.
In a swinging improvisation with poster artist Paul Rogers, Wynton Marsalis celebrates the spirit of twenty-six stellar jazz performers, from Armstrong to Dizzy — and showcases the same number of poetic forms.
Comments
is full of videos. even from mater classes with kids.
Jack on Mar 12th, 2009 at 4:46pm
i would like to know if where a i could get any video of Wynton teaching kinds or anything like this that has something to do with Wynton and kids.
cheers
victor on Mar 12th, 2009 at 4:42pm
Great Idea and concept!!! Too bad I didn’t have some childrens jazz poems(smile) looking forward in seeing the work
whitney Marchelle on Sep 11th, 2005 at 8:24pm