Artie Shaw, King of the Clarinet: His Life and Times

Although I regard Artie Shaw as one of the greatest and most innovative masters of the clarinet in the 20th century, I rated the book 5 stars for Mr. Nolan's even-handed account of Shaw's life and not for my personal admiration of Artie Shaw's great talents. Artie Shaw had many OCD personality characteristics that rendered him anything but "warm" when it came to his interaction with the public, and Mr. Nolan pulls no punches in bringing them out, along with historical detail hinting at the origin and growth of those characteristics. However, those same obsessive compulsive characteristics were the personality framework that made his musical artistry and innovative drive the fuel that propelled him to a singular place in that period of musical history, producing works that, decades later, still survive and provide entertainment to millions. Many contemporary players have attempted to duplicate some of Shaw's performances, but always seem to come up short in the eyes and ears of those who have actually heard Artie Shaw's renderings. Mr. Nolan's presentation is the most complete that I've read and gives no shortage of clues about Shaw's development, as a man and as a musical force, driven always to higher levels of performance and achievement. Many people remember press pieces about his many marriages, close "friendships" and the tempestuous nature of what marriage to Artie Shaw was like. People may remember the so-called rivalry between Shaw and Benny Goodman during the swing-era (a rivalry said to have been created by a booking agency). Shaw stated in interviews, many times, that the rivalry was completely contrived and that he (but not Benny Goodman) cared nothing about it. Nolan brings out facts, and quotations from Shaw, that strongly suggest that the so-called "rivalry" was indeed of interest to Shaw, who never seemed to pass on an opportunity to poke fun at Benny Goodman. It leaves the impression that, despite his public display of self-confidence, Benny Goodman's comfort with public interaction, and the admiration of his public following, was something that did get under Artie Shaw's skin for most of his life, even well after Artie closed his clarinet case for the last time in the 50s. The man who provided such great musical entertainment to millions, and was admired by as many millions, was an extremely private man who seemed more comfortable reading a book or discussing literature, than interacting with his adoring and screaming crowds of jitterbugging teens. Shaw was always seeking out the next rung on the musical ladder, always seeking innovation and, at the same time, complaining about the lack of the public's interest in following him. For a life filled with so much achievement, excitement and success, his ending seems particularly sad. Although he lived a relatively long life (94 1/2 when he died), outliving just about every other swing-era great you'd care to name, his end seems to have been marked by a rather sad loneliness, attended by a hospice nurse or two, years after he had seemingly rejected any kind of relationship with his own sons. It leaves one to wonder just how desirable such success and fame really are, and the true cost that Artie Shaw paid in order to achieve it.

I love this book.I've enjoyed a number of movie tie-in novels (novelizations of movies). But this is something different. Rather than a novelization of the screenplay, it's an original work of its own, containing all the elements of the movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," but transformed.It expands the story, the characterizations, the backstories with narrative drive, pulp violence, insight into the Manson family, and a wealth of film-related anecdotes calculated to bring joy to any movie buff. They include nods to one of his favorite directors, William Witney, insider cracks about actors ranging from Darren McGavin to Gardner McKay, among many others, and displays his deep knowledge of the movies.I suspect this will also transform its pulp genre and become regarded as one of the best Hollywood novels, period.Tarantino shows his story-telling flair in many ways, creating something of a new genre here, the "rest of the story" movie novelization. Not only that, the paperback is the first edition. Betcha it ends up worth a bundle as a collector's item.

Great objective biography of THE clarinet master of the 20th century. Possibly the greatest clarinetist of all time. Artie Shaw

It's a good book and worth the read. The story is told thru his words or in language he would have used. Shaw was always known to musically 'push the envelope' in his work while many of his contemporaries (Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey brothers, etc.) were content to do 'safe' popular music. The book captures this musical adventurism and quirkiness - as well as Shaw's use of black musicians/singers (Billie Holiday, etc.). This, of course, was during the days when racial bigotry was alive and well in many parts of the country. The book also provides insight into the music business and the development of Jazz from the 1930s thru the 1950s - as well as a view of many celebrities (Betty Grable, Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Jackie Coogan, etc ). Self described as difficult person, Shaw's eccentricities and generally difficult nature show why he failed at marriage and personal relationships so often. His life didn't end after leaving the music business in the mid-1950s. He lived another 50 years and, true to his restless nature, tried his hand at numerous things (writing, shooting, fly fishing, etc.). Artie Shaw rarely looked back and never lived in the past - a lesson all of us would do well to learn.

In order to appreciate the intensity and the professional expertise of a clarinetist like Artie Shaw, this book is a must read. The drive and the passion that this famous musician dedicated to arriving at the "perfect" sound is worth noting. His musical compositions during the Big Band era were notable, particularly since they were unusual for that time. Other big band leaders became famous, but they weren't as compulsive as he was. Artie Shaw's life was a mixture of anger, shame, pride, stubborness, egotistical competitiveness, social embattlements, and creativity. For such a handsome and talented man, tragic were his failed marriages to famous women (e.g., Lana Turner and Ave Gardiner). His amorous relationships with his chosen women were simultaneously impulisve and depressing. Tom Nolan wrote about a musican who should never be forgotten. My parents, who were enthralled with his music during their youth, introduced me to his music, which they often played on the record player.

Absolutely wonderful and very similar to the Benny Goodman book 'The Kingdom of Swing' but with different stories.Great!

From my other reading and viewing of the Berman documentary, I knew a lot about the Artie Shaw story. This book is an excellent biography about a fascinating, if incredibly selfish subject. It's nice to have a book about music that actually talks about the music instead of just who did what and when. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I love Artie Shaw and have the Hard Back with illustrations, purchased a few years ago. I read about and play Artie Shaw music every day of my life . The book is a classic no doubt - I was in the audience when Shaw made his only real appearance in the UK at the South Bank.Luckily I have a second home in Warwickshire and all the great books I have I maintain copies their as well.Rod Dean Ealing UK

first kindle item and an excellent biography. artie shaw was an enigma and this helps to explain why this was the case

Shaw had probably the most melodic swing band of them all