Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce

This is a well researched, musically astute, psychologically and sociological probing study of one of American music's most enigmatic creators from the 1950s. Quotations from interviewees seem, at first glance, to lack editorial discipline but as the reader progresses through Gryce's biography, the reader appreciates the authors' sensitivity to language and context.

The release of the Second Edition of "Rat Race Blues" is a cause for celebration among jazz fans and anyone who enjoys good music. The first edition became a rarity and to have it once again available, accompanied by a staggeringly comprehensive on-line support site, is a blessing indeed. It is subtitled "The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce" and it is this to the nth degree with a detailed a consideration of every aspect of the great musician’s musical life, from incisive musicological analyses of recordings, compositions and arrangements to performing history. It also delivers on Gigi Gryce the person, his family history, personality, motivations, intentions, and struggle against personal demons, to present a well-rounded portrait of the man. Much of this is supported by an impressive array of oral history testimony from colleagues, friends, and family, deftly woven into the narrative and thereby bringing us closer to the artist and his time, blowing away many of the mists and myths that have circulated about this elusive and enormously creative musician, who also courageously fought for the right of musicians to control their work. A must read and a great resource.

This book is as rare as the subject matter itself: a scholarly work that is also quite readable. It tells the story of a jazz performer who, although clearly a giant, has been nearly forgotten by time. Why? He simply wasn't flamboyant enough! The authors have done a fine job of adding substance to his incomplete image. In the process, they uncovered an unexpected gem. They found a relevant modern-day role model cleverly disguised as a sax player.

Rat Race Blues is a real find. This account of the life of Gigi Gryce was an inspiration to me. We read it in our library book club for January 2003, where it was a great hit with all our members.I would recommend it to anyone who is curious about life and/ or music and particularly to young people, struggling against the odds of poverty and racism.The book rediscovers Gigi Gryce, a name that appears on the records of numerous famous Jazz musicians,Cifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Max Roach, Thelonius Monk, Donald Byrd, Art Farmer.... to name only a few.The research done by Noal Cohen and Michael Fitzgerald is meticulous and sensitive. They manage to give us an insiders view of the Jazz scene in the 50's and early 60's, depicting Gigi's whole life from a strict and loving upbringing in Pensecola, Florida to his education at the Boston Conservatory; heady days in New York playing with all the greats and starting a family; his attempts to help musicians protect their publishing rights and finally his reinvention of himself as a teacher in the Bronx.For the most part, the authors are in the background, letting the musicians, family and friends speak for themselves about their memories of Gryce. Some of the anecdotes are hilarious. There are also great photos, including one of a young Quincy Jones and Clifford Brown who worked with Gigi in the Lionel Hampton band.Finding Gigi Gryce is akin to finding Zora Neal Hurston or more recently Henry Grimes.Congratulations to the authors for a book that sets a high standard for biographies of musicians.

In depth bio made mostly with interviews. Interesting for the jazz fan.