Central Avenue Sounds : Jazz In Los Angeles By Clora Bryant

University Of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, 1998, First Printing with complete number line; presentation copy, SIGNED in year of publication at the ffep by editor Clora Bryant, with a lengthy and warm inscription to jazz autograph collector and dealer, Larry Rafferty. Bryant was a pioneer woman jazz trumpeter who is likely the only female jazz musician to have ever played with Charlie Parker. Additionally SIGNED, dated, and inscribed at the half title page by the eminent tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, who was an influential figure in the Los Angeles jazz scene and figures prominently in the story of Central Avenue; also SIGNED, dated, and inscribed by veteran bassist, David Bryant, active on the LA scene from the 1940's, who contributes a chapter to the book. A valuable oral history of the Central Avenue area, which from the 20's to the early 50's was the economic, social and above all, musical center of black Los Angeles; compiled from extensive interviews with nineteen musicians, including Art Farmer, Lee Young, Melba Liston and Buddy Collette, who were all an important part of the once flourishing Central Avenue jazz scene. Quarter bound in black cloth over purple boards, very good+ with several corner creases to pages , ffep is starting, but tightly bound, clean and unmarked; in a near fine unclipped dust jacket, mild shelf wear, now in mylar sleeve. 

440 pages