Home » Jazz Articles » Book Review » Rent Party Jazz

150

Rent Party Jazz

By

Sign in to view read count
Rent Party Jazz Rent Party Jazz
William Miller &
Charlotte Riley-Webb
Lee & Low Books
ISBN: 1584300256

Until about fifteen years ago someone looking for children's books about music could find little other than barnyard animals playing instruments or Instruments of the Orchestra-type books. Since then children's literature has undergone an exciting change, including jazz themes. Biographies of jazz artists for "young audiences" have appeared. Younger children have learned about Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and others from picture books. Now, in Rent Party Jazz, award-winning children's author William Miller has brought us not the story of a jazz icon but a tale of jazz saving the day in the lives of ordinary people.

In 1930's New Orleans, young Sonny's mother has just been laid off at the fish cannery. Already working part-time on a coal wagon while attending school, Sonny is determined to do more to help his mother fend off eviction. Enter street performer/trumpet man Smilin' Jack, who sells Sonny on the idea of a "rent party", contributing "the best music in the world". Needless to say, the pair triumphs, while the neighbors have a ball in the process.

Imparting the dynamism and transformative power of jazz onto the printed page is no easy matter. Miller has managed to pull it off, greatly aided by the bold colors and vibrancy of Charlotte Riley-Webb's illustrations.

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.