The Jazz Masters: Setting the Record Straight

Between 2012 and 2016, Zimmerman (Tennessee Music) interviewed 21 jazz musicians, each of whom had at least 50 years of experience. For this volume in University of Mississippi’s “American Made Music” series, Zimmerman transcribed these conversations with icons such as trumpeter Clark Terry and horn man Yusef Lateef; journeymen such as the humble bassist Bob Cranshaw, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and innovative pianist Mickey Tucker; and lesser-known artists such as singer Sandy Stewart, clarinetist/whistler Brad Terry, and the eccentric pianist Ran Blake. Most notably, Zimmerman uncovers the environmentalist passion of saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins; the role of Buddhism in the music of well-known bassist Buster Williams, the difficult path of women jazz musicians such as saxophonist/flautist Carol Sudhalter, and saxophonist Clifford Jordan’s perspective on the music business. He also facilitates fascinating discussions about race and jazz with composer/horn player David Amram and pianist Steve Kuhn; and dialogues about the origins and the development of jazz with versatile pianist Dick Hyman, trumpeter Jimmy Owens, and thoughtful bassist Bill Crow.