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3 Shades of Blue Reviewed in Sunday’s London Times

The London Times reviewed 3 Shades of Blue in its Sunday March 3rd issue, praising Kaplan's depiction of the Hard Bop era.

"In the ten years between 1955 and 1965, an American art form — jazz — reached its peak... for that brief decade it resonated around the world, serving as the soundtrack of the postwar, pre-rock’n’roll era. James Kaplan, a novelist and journalist turned biographer, has written the definitive book on how that decade came to be and the three men — Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans — whose musical collaboration defined it." - Harry Lambert, The London Times

3 Shades is officially out! Purchase it now from Bookshop.org or Kaplan’s publisher Penguin.

The Wall Street Journal Reviews 3 Shades of Blue

The Wall Street Journal recently reviewed 3 Shades of Blue and included it in their "17 Books We Read This Week" roundup.

"Mr. Kaplan does a wonderful job synthesizing sources to produce a compelling narrative history. His own interviews add a lot as well. His technical descriptions of the music are accessible and useful." - Gerald Early, The Wall Street Journal

3 Shades is officially out. Purchase it now from Bookshop.org or Kaplan’s publisher Penguin.

Early Praise for 3 Shades of Blue

“Fascinating, detailed and comprehensive . . . Kaplan—who also penned the two-volume definitive look at the life of one Francis Albert Sinatra—goes into similar depth here . . . 3 Shades of Blue—like the best of music books—just sends you back to the source.” —Houston Press

“Elegant and elegiac, 3 Shades of Blue tells stories of ambition and anxiety, collaborations and clashes, musical innovation and racial discrimination.” —The Minneapolis Star Tribune

“[Kaplan] writes like a dream . . . As an overview of musical magnificence, this book cannot be bettered.” — Jazz Journal

Publications that have gotten their hands on early copies of 3 Shades of Blue have great things to say. Order the book now from Bookshop.org or Kaplan’s publisher Penguin.

Excerpt From 3 Shades of Blue Published in Esquire

Read an excerpt from author James Kaplan's newest book 3 Shades of Blue ahead of its publishing date on March 5th 2024 via Esquire Magazine. 3 Shades of Blue is available now from Bookshop.org and Kaplan’s publisher Penguin.

3 SHADES interview on The Art of Manliness Podcast with Brett McKay

3 SHADES OF BLUE interview by Brett McKay, host of The Art of Manliness Podcast — RELEASE DATE TK

3 SHADES interview with Gary R. Zidek, WDCB & WRTE, Chicago

3 SHADES OF BLUE interview by Gary R. Zidek, Arts/Public Affairs Director for Chicago jazz stations WDCB 90.9 FM & WRTE 90.7 FM theartssection.org — AIR DATE TK

WBGO interview: 3 SHADES OF BLUE – Lee Mergner

3 SHADES OF BLUE interview by Lee Mergner, Associate Producer, Editorial Content for Newark, N.J. jazz station WBGO, 88.3 FM & www.wbgo.org — AIR DATE TK

3 Shades of Blue in Brazil and South Korea

The rights to 3 Shades of Blue have now been sold around the world in Brazil and South Korea. Check back soon for the cover art from these different countries!