Description
Book SynopsisJazz pianist, trombonist, composer, educator, and community leader Horace Tapscott tells his life story, from his childhood in Houston and growing up in Los Angeles, to his early professional career, creation of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, and his work to build and serve L.A.'s black community.
Trade Review"Songs of the Unsung is one of those special autobiographical narratives that comes along once in a while, and successfully captivates its reading audience with the complete candor of the person telling the story! This is an important sociological document, for it tells the life of Horace Tapscott, one of the most unique figures in the jazz of Black Los Angeles. . . . What is most unique about
Songs of the Unsung is that it reveals a man who not only lived jazz, but contributed to it in meaningful ways, and was a walking masterpiece of the personal philosophy he advocated. He lived to teach, help others, perform, create. Horace Tapscott succeeded at each.
Songs of the Unsung lets the reader see how he did it.
Songs of the Unsung is excellent reading. This book entertains and enlightens at the same time, and is a fine reading experience!" -- Lee Prosser * Jazz Review *
"Songs of the Unsung offers a glimpse into the life of a jazz musician who resolved not to abandon the place where he started out—the streets of South-Central." -- Jonathan Kirsch * Los Angeles Times *
"[A] raw, intimate autobiography of L.A. free jazz pianist, trombonist, and composer Tapscott. . . . [T]his retrospective will enable jazz enthusiasts to revel in the life of a unique and talented underground musician. . . ." * Publishers Weekly *
"[Isoardi] preserves Tapscott's part-preacher, part-hipster patois—in which, for example, he inflects the word 'out' to describe free jazz, police brutality, injustice, good luck, violent rage, unexpected generosity, spontaneous affection and insanity.
Songs of the Unsung is a witness to hope, one man's determination to create art of lasting value and the power of music to connect people. It is, in the profoundest sense, 'out' " -- Jim Gerard * Washington Post *
"[O]ffers fascinating insights into Tapscott's work as a composer and bandleader, as well as his memories of L.A. during the turbulent 1960s." -- Aaron Cohen * DownBeat *
"A valuable firsthand account of American music and culture that will make a welcome addition to any collection." * Library Journal *
"Horace Tapscott . . . emerges as an eternal symbol of all that is noble in the music in transition community. This highly advanced theme emerges from a detailed life history that is nothing short of stunning. . . .
Songs of the Unsung is an important statement in the philosophy of improvised music. Highly recommended." -- James D. Armstrong, Jr. * Jazz Now *
"Isoardi has done a fine job of preserving Tapscott's voice—the narrative is fluent, conversational in tone and packed with both colourful incident and tart social commentary. . . . [A]s a gripping account of a quietly heroic life, and as a rare document about the West Coast’s black cultural underground,
Songs of the Unsung is essential reading." -- Graham Lock * Jazzwise *
"Page after page, Tapscott offhandedly knocks down stereotypes about African-American communities, like pines behind an eruption. . . . Tapscott's controversial narrative, filled with stories about 'the cats' and their 'out' behavior is fascinating. . . . But more valuable than the book’s entertainment quotient is its map of possibilities." -- Greg Burk * LA Weekly *
"The details and local lore of
Songs are beautifully rendered, and Tapscott’s modesty and perseverance are qualities to behold." -- Hua Hsu * The Wire *
"Songs of the Unsung . . . sets forth an astonishing, searingly honest view of one segment of music history that is indeed unsung. . . . [The] memoir reminds us with stunning candor that too much has happened under the radar of the jazz industry. . . . We need more books like
Songs of the Unsung, by which we can come to understand creative musicians as agents of change at home, effecting local pockets of activity with universal ramifications. For Tapscott provides us with an unwritten truth behind this radically unfinished music called jazz." -- Vijay Iyer * Current Musicology *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix
Foreword / Steven Isoardi xi
Preface xiii
1. Early Years in Houston 1
2. California 17
3. Setting the Pace 31
4. Central Avenue 42
5. Military Service 51
6. On the Road with Lionel Hampton 70
7. To Preserve and Develop Black Culture 82
8. The Fire This Time 105
9. In the Middle of It 117
10. Stayin’ Alive 125
11. The Union of God’s Musicians and Artists Ascension 136
12. Settling into the Community 147
13. Movements to the Present 173
14. Reflections and Directions 187
Postscript: From the Funeral Service 213
Appendix: A Partial List of UGMAA Artists, 1961–1998 217
Discography I: Horace Tapscott 221
Discography II: Music from the Ark 236
Index 241
