Hoefer George Contributor (1 results)

Hardcover with Dust Jacket. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition, First Printing. A vital and vivid memoir from one of the masters of the Harlem Stride piano tradition. Willie 'The Lion' Smith provides an unfiltered account of the jazz life, from cutting contests in New York speak-easies to the battlefields of World War I. This edition features an essential foreword by Duke Ellington, who regarded Smith as a primary mentor and influence. KEY FEATURES +++ Content: Comprehensive autobiography including a list of Smith's compositions and a detailed discography. +++ Associated Names: Foreword by Duke Ellington; collaborative work with noted jazz critic George Hoefer. +++ Binding: Grey cloth boards with sharp silver and gold stamping; 8.5 inches tall. +++ Imprint: Stated 'First Edition' on copyright page; Doubleday & Company. +++ Specs: xvi, 318 pages. +++ Condition: Very Good+ in a Very Good dust jacket. +++ Rarity: Increasingly uncommon to find in the original jacket without significant chipping or spine loss. CONDITION: Very Good+ -- This is a clean, tight copy with minimal shelf handling. The cloth is vibrant with no significant soiling. The text block is evenly age-toned but remains supple and free of markings. The dust jacket is unclipped and retains its original color, showing only mild rubbing at the corners and light toning on the spine. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE -- Willie 'The Lion' Smith was a larger-than-life figure who, alongside James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, defined the Harlem Stride style. Known for his cigar, derby hat, and fierce competitive spirit in 'cutting contests,' Smith was a central link between early ragtime and the sophisticated big band era. His memoir captures the vernacular and atmosphere of the Harlem Renaissance better than almost any other musical biography of the period. Beyond the music, this work is a significant social history. Smith reflects on his service in the 'Buffalo Soldiers' (350th Field Artillery) during World War I and the racial politics of the early music industry. It remains a primary resource for researchers studying the cultural impact of Black musicians on 20th-century American life. SUBJECTS: Jazz History, African American Musicians, Stride Piano, Harlem Renaissance, World War I (Black Soldiers), Music Memoir, New York Social History Memoir, Music History, African Americana.