Brings the Jazz Age Back to Life!

"Tell a story." 

That was the advice of Lester Young, the celebrated tenor saxophonist of the Count Basie Orchestra. Tunes of the Twenties follows that advice. The songs in this book have stories to tell. They come from the streets of New Orleans, rural Mississippi, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, Hollywood, churches that were home to haunting spirituals, and concert halls that presented classical masterpieces. Each one is unique, with a circumstance and a history that reflect the diversity of American culture and the dynamic of American business. In Tunes of the Twenties author Robert Rawlins discusses each of the 250 songs included in his previous publication The Real Dixieland Book, taking readers backstage to share the intriguing stories associated with their publication and subsequent history. Anyone who holds a fascination for the era of prohibition, flappers, and speakeasies will enjoy reading about the music that went along with it. Robert Rawlins is the author of six books, including Jazzology, The Real Dixieland Book, and How to Play From a Real Book, and has published more than 100 articles in magazines and journals. In addition to his university teaching, he has also been a performing musician his entire life, working with leading entertainers and jazz bands.