The Best of the Jazz Score

A selection of anecdotes, one-liners and reminiscences from the BBC Radio 2 series Jazz Score. The book is a collection of the best of the banter from series regulars such as Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Lyttleton, Benny Green and George Melly, as well as numerous other programme guests.

Before the generation of English musicians known as the British Invasion began their love affair with American rock'n'roll and blues, their older brothers were involved in an equally passionate relationship with American jazz. Roy Pellett originated the BBC's radio program Jazz Score to create a backstage glimpse of the jazz world. This book is a selection of anecdotes and reminiscences from guests and regulars of the program. Most of the stories concern American greats like Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Billy Eckstine, with an emphasis on humorous, lightweight banter. While this is an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at some jazz legends, its appeal is limited. The commentators are mainly British bandleaders and musicians, largely unknown on this side of the Atlantic. Only for the most comprehensive music collections.
Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This ostensibly innocuous collection of lighthearted anecdotes by and about various musicians contains enough tidbits of information to warrant inclusion in a comprehensive jazz library. Compiler Pellett originated the BBC Radio 2 show, Jazz Score, and culls from the banter of his guests on the program, who include others involved in jazz besides musicians, some of the droller reminiscences and one-liners; for example, this from guitarist Barney Kessel: "Over the years people have made fun of Glenn Miller's arrangements, but actually, if you think about it, his music is much better than it sounds"; or this, club owner Ronnie Scott's recollection of Charles Mingus addressing a London audience after receiving a tax demand: in "stentorian tones" the bassist proclaimed, "I have just received this letter from your queen!" Perhaps the greatest value of the book for jazz fans lies in its presentation of many British jazz players unsung in the U.S. and in the sagas it delineates of many American jazz legends in England. Aaron Cohen