Even though the potential passage of the Equal Rights Amendment had cracked glass ceilings across the country; in 1978 jazz remained a boys’ club. Two Kansas City women; Carol Comer and Dianne Gregg; challenged that inequitable standard. With the support of jazz luminaries Marian McPartland and Leonard Feather; inaugural performances by Betty Carter; Mary Lou Williams; an unprecedented All-Star band of women; Toshiko Akiyoshi’s band; plus dozens of Kansas City musicians and volunteers; a casual conversation between two friends evolved into the annual Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festival (WJF). But with success came controversy. Anxious to satisfy fans of all jazz styles; WJF alienated some purists. The inclusion of male sidemen brought on protests. The egos of established; seasoned players unexpectedly clashed with those of newcomers. Undaunted; Comer; Gregg; and WJF’s ensemble of supporters continued the cause for eight years. They fought for equality not with speeches but with swing; without protest signs but with bebop. For the first book about this groundbreaking festival; Carolyn Glenn Brewer interviewed dozens of people and dove deeply into the archives. This book is an important testament to the ability of two friends to emphatically prove jazz genderless; thereby changing the course of jazz history.
#585489 in Books White Mane Pub 1996-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.13 x 6.20 x 9.23l; #File Name: 1572490225306 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Historical AccountBy John AdamsThis is a wonderful book that describes the involvement of the Army National Guard in the Korean War. These are facts that most Americans do not know; and from the perspective of the men that lived it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. For a Veteran.By GGMy Uncle was in this book and it was just what he wanted. It was just the thing for him. Good customer rellations. good arival time.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The Guard comes through again.By A CustomerThe National Guard; for the whole of the twentieth century; has been a vital component of American military efforts in times of crisis. This is nowhere better illustrated than in the Korean War; where individuals and units were rushed in to plug holes in Allied lines from the start; often with little notice and sometimes woefully untrained and under-equipped. Their presence may well have been the decisive element in preventing total Red success. Their story; from truck drivers to infantrymen; is thoroughly researched and well told here with oral histories; good maps; useful appendices; and a generous index.. The only flaw noted is the oddly popular error misnaming the National Guard facility as "Fort Robinson; Arkansas". It was; and remains; Camp Robinson. This does not detract seriously from this highly valuable work; which fills a gap in the history of the Korean War and the essential role of the citizen-soldier.(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)
