New Book: Wynton Marsalis 'Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits' Illustrated By Paul Rogers

Another great book for kids to learn all about the Jazz Greats. A children's collection of 26 poems by Wynton Marsalis profiles the giants of Jazz in verse.

This new edition of the book first published and featured in 2005 on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered comes with a colorful Roger's print of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Audio files are also available at the NPR link. Good stuff!
~LT

From Candlewick Press:

"Illustrated with dazzling graphic impact by Paul Rogers, here is a breathtaking performance by the best-known jazz composer, musician, and educator of our time.

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, Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz composer Wynton Marsalis 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."