Kill ‘Em and Leave by James McBride

Kill ‘Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul is the new book from James McBride, himself a musician and National Book award-winning author of The Good Lord Bird and The Color of Water. It’s a perfect fit for those students whose Junior Theme involves describing an American artist and his/her impact on American values.  McBride notes how James Brown sold "more than 200 million records, recorded 321 albums, 16 of them hits, wrote 832 songs, and made 45 gold records. He revolutionized American music: he was the very first to fuse jazz into popular funk; the very first to record a 'live' album that became a number-one record." Kill ‘Em and Leave is a fascinating look not only at an innovative and influential musician, but also at race relations and social class in American society.

McBride divides his book into three sections (Countin’ Off, Hit It! And Quit It!).  He begins by describing the Buzz (“four hundred years of pent-up bitterness”) and writes about how “Brown was a child of a country in hiding: America’s South” where “the music [of black artists] is immortalized while the communities that produced them continue to suffer.” McBride shares a story of money and greed, of associates and mentees like Al Sharpton, of passion and dedication, through a series of vignettes. “What was the point, Brown said, trying to play big. Just be big.” Given the style and power of McBride’s writing, Kill ‘Em and Leave could also be considered as assigned text for classes like Senior Writers Seminar and Creative Writing.  Starred review from Booklist.

The Jazz Palace by Mary Morris

Historical fiction set in Chicago, The Jazz Palace by Mary Morris opens with the legendary 1915 Eastland tragedy as the death of 844 people, including three of Pearl Chimbrova’s brothers, is witnessed by Benny Lehrman, a budding musician and gifted piano player. Years pass and eventually Benny breaks with his Jewish family, embraces jazz and comes to play at the speakeasy (The Jazz Palace) run by Pearl’s family. Along the way, he is mentored by Napoleon Hill, a black musician and talented trumpeter who resents being “owned” by the Rooster Club where he works. 

Throughout The Jazz Palace, Morris blends elements to create her own melody, skillfully sharing the story of Chicago, its mob violence, hard-working immigrants, and distinctive neighborhoods, defined by ethnicity and culture.  Cameo appearances and references to famous historical figures include Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, and Al Capone. Multiple characters experience grief at the loss of loved ones, fight racial prejudice and all the while reflect on the nature of music. In fact, one says: "You see, I believe the universe began with a collection of molecules and into these molecules a ripple came, a wave that reverberated like a tone and that tone set everything in motion. It all began with music.”

The Jazz Palace is thoroughly researched; explaining the heritage of terms like “jass” and “hipsters” and has an online reader's guide.  While the tempo of this descriptive, character driven story slows in the middle, it returns with a crescendo before fading away. The Jazz Palace by Mary Morris has special appeal for anyone interested in Chicago history and musical vibe.    

Added 6/2: Author Mary Morris will be at The Bookstall in Winnetka at 6:30pm on Wednesday, June 3rd. 

East Coast Prowl

Hear of "the bee's knees" and the "cat's meow?" Well, the "cat's pajamas" is also related to the jazz era and similarly refers to something unusual and sought after. In the case of Marie-Helene Bertino's new book, 2am at the Cat's Pajamas, it specifically refers to a nightclub which has seen better days and happier times. To me, the entire book had kind of that melancholy feel and although it was extremely well-written, there were SO many characters and story lines that I found it difficult to keep them all straight.  The youngest person is Madeleine and yes, she is essentially an orphan, who smiles at the good, frowns at the bad and sometimes is very sad ...

Living and breathing bebop in Philadelphia, nine-year old Madeleine's life intertwines with Mrs. Santiago who owns a dog named Pedro (one of the more memorable secondary characters), with a teacher named Sarina Greene who still has a crush on her former high school boyfriend named Ben, and with the owner (Jack Lorca) and musicians (The Cubanistas, plus Lorca's son Alex) from the Cat's Pajamas.  All are lonely and "mis-connected" as Bertino attempts to weave the stories together over a 24 hour period.  It's confusing with plenty of activity, an antique guitar, and even some magical realism occurring on Christmas Eve Eve.

If you do not have the patience or inclination to unravel 2am at the Cat's Pajamas which will be published in early August, I would instead HIGHLY recommend Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home is an outstanding book -- another debut novel with a young girl (14 year-old June) and art (painting, not music, this time) at its center. Set in 1980s New York, the story focuses on the aftermath of Uncle Finn's death from AIDS.  A New York Times bestseller, Tell the Wolves I'm Home has won numerous awards, including the Alex Award, and was recommended to me by two young people. Like them, I found June's efforts to come to terms with her Uncle's death to be extremely moving. Brunt profiles a range of emotions as June struggles with her other family relationships, especially with an older sister. June truly begins to develop her own independence while learning more about her uncle's life and the ability to "see" him through others. Tell the Wolves I'm Home will capture your attention – it's an emotional, engaging read and is certainly hard to forget. I wish that I had found it sooner and can readily see this novel being used for Junior Theme by students who want to write more about AIDS and society's reactions - both compassionate and ignorant - to that disease.