{"product_id":"big-band-jazz-in-black-west-virginia-1930-1942-historical-jazz","title":"Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia, 1930-1942 - Historical Jazz","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia, 1930-1942 the reviewer finds a focused, well-researched cultural history aimed at readers who want to understand the surprising popularity of big band jazz in Appalachian coalfields. The book is best for scholars, students, and serious music fans who value archival detail and documented touring patterns; its single biggest reason to buy is the way it overturns expectations by showing sustained, documented African American audiences for major bands during the Depression era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDocumented research:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book provides archival evidence and citations that illuminate touring routes and performances in West Virginia, making the narrative reliable for study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused timeframe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covering 1930 to 1942 gives a clear historical window that helps readers trace changes in bookings and audiences before World War II.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProfiles of major bands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accounts of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, and Chick Webb place national names in a regional context for meaningful comparison.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultural perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author emphasizes the African American coalfield communities that supported jazz, offering insight into local social life and travel patterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAward-recognized work:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book received archival awards and a certificate of merit, indicating professional recognition for its research quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig Band Jazz in Black West Virginia is ideal for readers in \u003cstrong\u003eAfrican American studies\u003c\/strong\u003e, cultural history, musicology, and for local historians interested in Appalachian social life. Graduate students and researchers will appreciate the documented tours and contextual analysis that support further scholarship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a light introduction to jazz or a general popular history might find the level of archival detail dense; those audiences should look for broader narrative overviews rather than this concentrated research volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep archival research that documents performances and audiences, making it a strong resource for scholars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlaces nationally known bandleaders into a regional story, enhancing understanding of touring networks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplores social dynamics in West Virginia coalfields, shedding light on African American cultural life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book's detailed, research-focused style may be dense for casual readers who prefer broader narrative histories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBig Band Jazz in Black West Virginia, 1930-1942\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\/Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChristopher Wilkinson\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of jazz and African American cultural life in West Virginia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime period covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1930 to 1942\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAwards\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAssociation of Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence; Certificate of Merit (2013)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBig band tours and African American audiences in coalfield communities\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor specialists and serious readers interested in the intersection of jazz history and regional African American culture, this book is a valuable, well-documented resource. Its archival depth and focused timeframe make it good value for research and classroom use, though casual readers should be prepared for a scholarly tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on named bandleaders?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book discusses touring by major figures such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, and Chick Webb to illustrate broader patterns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the research recognized?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the work received an Awards for Excellence and a Certificate of Merit in 2013, reflecting professional recognition of its research quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for general readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is most suitable for scholars and students; casual readers may find the archival detail dense but still informative.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Christopher Wilkinson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48137346285787,"sku":"1617031682","price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71L7O3f3C1L._SL1360.jpg?v=1768357903","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/big-band-jazz-in-black-west-virginia-1930-1942-historical-jazz","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}