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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!

3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool – Available for Pre-Order

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.