Jazz from Detroit by Mark Stryker

Abstract

Book Reviews 187 Nyenhuis and the authors have done a great service to future generations of Hope College students and supporters. They have provided a progress report on the place of Hope College as it seeks to live up to its ideals in the twenty-first century. In a time when some institutions of higher education seem to be struggling, this effort recounts how Hope has navigated previous troubled waters to arrive at its current condition. The telling of these stories and compiling this information for the 150th anniversary will inspire future generations of students and supporters to continue to support Hope and help it live up to it ideals. Maintaining a thriving institution of higher education is no small task and this treasure trove of stories and information may help Hope College thrive into its next fifty years. David Zwart Grand Valley State University Mark Stryker. Jazz from Detroit. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2019. Pp. 342. Appendices. Illustrations. Index. Cloth: $39.95. “That’s what we do in Detroit. We make cars and we make jazz musicians.” These words, spoken by bassist and educator Rodney Whitaker (p. 294), are the concluding remarks to Mark Stryker’s excellent new book, Jazz from Detroit, which highlights the important role that both the city of Detroit and its jazz musicians have played in shaping this great American music. Long known as a hotbed for jazz from its earliest days, Detroit is known for the many leading jazz musicians who were either born and raised there, or spent their formative years honing their craft in the city, and the book tells these stories. Detroit, with its large and vibrant African American community, has always taken pride in the musical and cultural contributions of its artists. The bulk of attention is focused on the musicians who made their mark during the “Golden Age” of 1940-60 who were playing the modern jazz of the day—bebop and hard bop being at its core. Perhaps no other city has produced a greater number of leading voices in the music. One need only look at the lineage of bass players— Paul Chambers, Doug Watkins, Ron Carter, Robert Hurst, Rodney Whitaker, Ralphe Armstrong and Marion Hayden, or pianists including Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones—to recognize the depth of talent that has come from Detroit. 188 The Michigan Historical Review Stryker briefly profiles thirty musicians and several cooperative groups from the 1940s to the present. A pattern emerges in the presentation of information where personal stories about the musicians and their music, often based on interviews and conversations the author had with each of them, give way to some biographical information, and conclude with his reflections on important recordings or performances. His writing is captivating and weaves easily between anecdotes, quotes from the artists, and personal stories. Flowing with adjectives, his descriptions of the musical style of each musician bring life to the music in a fresh and unique manner. The chapters on saxophonist Joe Henderson and drummer Elvin Jones are highlights for this reader, as I found myself being drawn to the unique approaches of these two giants of the music through Stryker’s beautifully crafted use of language. Each chapter tells a story and connects the artist to the city in a meaningful way. A recurring theme of mentorship and civic pride runs its course throughout the book. Many of the musicians received formal training in schools, including Cass Tech High School and Wayne State University, but the perpetuation of the music was, and continues to be, the result of musicians encouraging one another, sharing ideas, and modeling the passion and vitality of Detroit jazz for each succeeding generation. Whether the reader is a devoted or novice fan of jazz, Mark Stryker knows Detroit—its music, musicians, and people—and with Jazz from Detroit, he introduces a wider audience to one of the city’s greatest treasures. Bill Sears Interlochen Center for the Arts Gerald Van Dusen. Detroit’s Birwood Wall: Hatred and Healing in the West Eight Mile Community. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2019. Pp.192. Bibliography. Illustrations. Index. Paper: $21.99. When a book evokes memories as Gerald...