Reviews
From James Kaplan, the author of the definitive biography of Frank Sinatra, comes the story of how jazz arrived at the pinnacle of American culture in 1959, told through the journey of three towering artists–Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans–who came together to create the most iconic jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue. 3 Shades of Blue is available now for pre-order from Bookseller.org and Kaplan’s publisher Penguin.
From The BookSeller BY MELINA SPANOUDI
Canongate has acquired a group biography of jazz icons Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans by author James Kaplan: Three Shades of Blue
Canongate c.e.o. Jamie Byng acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans & the Empire of Cool, a blended biography detailing the lives of three jazz pioneers including their seminal “Kind of Blue” album. Byng bought rights from Hal Fessenden at Penguin Random House US.
Scott Moyers is the primary editor, and Canongate and Penguin Press will publish simultaneously in March 2024.
A selection of the large historic photographic images have been posted on the 3 Shades of Blue photo gallery section. They include rarely seen images of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. It is a glimpse into the depth of research that has gone into Jame’s Kaplans new book. Thank you to James for securing the use of these remarkable images on the website. This is just a small taste of what you will find in 3 Shades of Blue.
Please note that these are rights-managed images from various personal, prestigious or museum collections, so cannot be reproduced without permission. For more information on their use please use the contact section of the website.
You can read about Miles Davis and his work in James Kaplan‘s new stunning work from the pinnacle of jazz in the late 1950’s – 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool.
Bitches Brew was released on March 30th, 1970 by Columbia Records. It is now widely regarded as of one greatest jazz albums of all time, as well as being a huge influence on other genres such as rock and various cross-over styles. It has been described as the beginning of Miles Davis’ “electric” style.
The artists working on the recording included Wayne Shorter on soprano saxophone, Dave Holland on bass, Chick Corea on electric piano, and Jack DeJohnette on drums.
Track listing
Disk 1
- “Pharaoh’s Dance” – written by Joe Zawinul
- “Bitches Bew” – written by Miles Davis
Disk 2
- “Spanish Key” – written by Miles Davis
- “John McLaughlin” – written by Miles Davis
- “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down” – written by Miles Davis
- “Sanctuary” – written by Wayne Shorter
- “Feio”
Find out more about Miles Davis and his during the high point of jazz and beyond in 3 Shades of Blue.
“Genius is the operative word. The latest entry in the “Jewish Lives” series tackles perhaps the most prolific and important composer and lyricist in U.S. history…Kaplan, no stranger to daunting subjects…has written an extensively researched, entertaining, and nuanced account that contextualizes Berlin’s story and achievements within the scope of Jewish immigrant New York and modern American popular culture.” – Library Journal.
“Short but robust and richly rewarding…Kaplan vivifies Berlin and…brings his deep knowledge and wise insight to Berlin’s life story so that even his most classic songs like “White Christmas” feel like a new discovery.” – The National Book Review.
“One senses on every page Kaplan’s enthusiasm for his subject as well as his deep knowledge.” – The New York Journal of Books.
“Kaplan excavates psychological depth beneath the blithe melodies…a smart, entertaining biography of a great songwriter that will have readers humming along.” – Publishers Weekly.
Read more at The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of Israel, The Arts Fuse, The Jewish Review of Books, DownBeat, Wesleyan University, America Magazine, Mosaic, Popmatters, CBS News, NBC New York, and Broadway World.
James appeared on the B’nai B’rith International podcast on November 22nd:
In his newly published book Irving Berlin: New York Genius, distinguished biographer and journalist James Kaplan tackles the complex relationship between Irving Berlin and the city of New York. In this podcast episode, B’nai B’rith International CEO and host Daniel S. Mariaschin and Kaplan discuss Kaplan’s book as well as the legacy of Irving Berlin.
Yale University Press’s Jewish Lives Podcast dedicated its November 18th episode to Irving Berlin: New York Genius:
Irving Berlin has been called—by George Gershwin, among others—the greatest songwriter of the golden age of American popular song.
James Kaplan, author of the Jewish Lives biography Irving Berlin: New York Genius, underscores Berlin’s unique brilliance as a composer, his witty, wily, and tough Jewish immigrant experience, and his continued relevance in American popular culture today.
James discussed Irving Berlin: New York Genius on From the Bookshelf with Gary Shapiro on November 18th.
James discussed his new biography of Irving Berlin at the 67th annual Detroit Jewish Book Fair on November 9th, 2019. Irving Berlin was published by Yale University Press on November 5th.
James Kaplan’s Irving Berlin was published November 5th.
Praise
“James Kaplan’s Irving Berlin is just like its subject: taut, vibrant, and thrumming with the irresistible words and music of America’s songwriter laureate. It’s by turns a buoyant and poignant trip across the tumultuous 20th century, through the eyes of an artist who helped define its popular taste. Kaplan reclaims the proud Jewish identity of the patriotic immigrant who knew that his country was blessed, because he had been.” — Todd S. Purdum, author of Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution