Jazz on My Mind - by Herb Wong & Paul Simeon Fingerote (Paperback)

About the Book

"Dr. Herb Wong (1926-2014) was an internationally recognized jazz industry leader and author of 400+ liner notes from the 1940s through the early 2000s. This book features the Wong's liner notes, articles and album selections, his personal stories about the artists, and his one-on-one conversations with many jazz greats, providing a primer and discography"--

Book Synopsis

Dr. Herb Wong (1926-2014) was an internationally recognized jazz industry leader and the author of more than 400 liner notes from the 1940s through the early 2000s. He reviewed not only the tracks on those albums but the artists and their eras as well. This book features the best of Wong's liner notes, articles and album selections, his personal stories about the artists, and his illuminating one-on-one conversations with many jazz greats, providing an insightful jazz primer and invaluable discography.

Review Quotes

"a critical and essential addition to any jazz fan's library...an illuminating and educational read...a welcome addition to any jazz lover's bookshelf as there is truly something here for everyone"-ARSC Journal; "Jazz On My Mind is a delightful and substantial addition to jazz commentary, full of the vivid anecdotes and insightful, accessible analysis of the late Dr. Herb Wong, a lifelong enthusiast and acclaimed educator who came to work with and know the musical heroes he depicts here. With exemplary assistance from Paul Fingerote, longtime marketing and public relations director of the Monterey Jazz Festival, Dr. Wong selected and shaped his memories and his earlier writings into a volume that stands tall among those concerning composers and performers of the second half of the 20th century whose sounds will ring forever."-Howard Mandel, president of the Jazz Journalists Association; "Offers readers a delightful curated vision of America's music genre.... Reading Wong's liner-note prose is a pure joy. His enthusiasm will send you to the record store, and his encyclopedic knowledge will inform your listening. You can read the book from cover to cover, and you'll be tempted to do just that. But it is also perfect for causal reading, and as a reference if you're listening to the music. If you're unfamiliar with jazz music and want a starter's guide, I cannot imagine a better book. This is truly fun to read, a time capsule into another era and even another version of English that you simply won't read or find anywhere else."-Rick Kleffel, KQED, NPR Contributor; Editor, Bookotron.com.

About the Author

A DJ at radio station KJAZ for 30 years, the late Herb Wong was a jazz producer, writer, and a pioneer in jazz education. Paul Simeon Fingerote has worked as a writer and creative director with major ad agencies world-wide. He was marketing director of the Monterey Jazz Festival for more than 30 years. He is an on-air host for NPR radio station 90.3 / KAZU in Monterey, California.