The Return of the Trumpet -- Part I of a jazz trilogy by Randy Baran This urban fantasy about a young, emerging jazz trumpetist who comes upon an exotic, powerful trumpet that he has to return is something readers, lovers of music, and lovers of high comedy really shouldn’t miss.
Author Randy Baran portrays American culture at its most vibrant -- right after WW2, near the end of the Jazz Age, and at the dawn of post-modern culture. That era of transition is poignant because, after meticulously crafting an inviting slice of life, Baran drops the reader, and the main character Brad Tillman, into the midst of a deadly power struggle involving choices that will set the course for people’s lives now and into the future.
It all happens when Tillman meets his musical muse -- a wild, mystical character named Earle -- in a Chicago parking garage, on his Prom night in 1948. Tillman is about to make his professional debut with the jazz musicians who are playing at his Prom. But when he goes to get his trumpet, he runs into Earle and winds up inheriting Earle’s mysterious trumpet, a mission to return it, and a fascinating, life-long puzzle he is destined to solve -- and at all cost.
Baran writes in a flawless cinematic style, reminiscent of the movies of the 30s and 40s. The result of his two-decade effort gives a quality of heart and soul to the story that stands above much of today’s entertainment. Known in jazz music circles (he’s a guitarist), Baran distinguishes himself as a new literary voice in this notable American fantasy.
Randy Baran has been writing words and music most of his life. His fascination with color and light started when he built a spectroscope in high school and won a trip to the Chicago Science Fair. But any notion of a career in spectral analysis was sidelined by his spiraling interest in journalism and music.
After receiving his undergrad degree in Social Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, and editing his college newspaper, Baran fulfilled one of his career goals and became a journalist.
As a hard news reporter, Baran developed an ability to capture the human spirit that shaped news stories and quickly delved into feature writing. His articles have since appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times.
At the same time, Baran has maintained a parallel career as a musician. He is a well-known working guitarist in Chicago, and has played a wide variety of musical venues including many years with Chicago area big bands. A songwriter, influenced by jazz, rock and pop, he is working on a CD of his original music.
Baran has been married for more than 20 years and lives in Chicago with his wife and teen-aged son.
With this trilogy, he has blended his love of color, words and music into a single work with a single goal: to bring you joy.
