'BEHIND THE SWING: A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST JAZZ MUSICIANS' AVAILABLE NOW

Here's some praise about my new book "Behind the Swing" from noted authors and jazz experts Herb Boyd and James Gallert:

 

There was a time in the fifties and sixties when practically every jazz ensemble of note included one musician from Detroit, or at least one who refined his or her development in the city.  What Charles Latimer demonstrates to a remarkable degree in Behind the Swing--more than a decade of his articles from the Metro Times--is that there were countless other equally proficient composers, teachers and performers worthy of wider recognition. Latimer’s book is an insight aperture of jazz in Detroit, and he embellishes that musical wellspring with lively discussions with a number of notable visitors, such as Wayne Shorter, Ravi Coltrane, and T.S. Monk.  In many ways, Behind the Swing is on the beat and ahead of its time.

--Herb Boyd, author of Black Detroit—A People’s History of Self-Determination (Amistad, 2017)

 

"Latimer's fine compilation pulls together both tradition jazz and Avant-Garde jazz musicians.  His easy way with words and natural curiosity about the music he loves affords him a good starting point for interviews.  I learned many new, interesting facts about the musicians, many of whom have been overlooked by "mainstream" scribes.  I definitely recommended Behind the Swing for serious jazz supporters!" 

 

--James Gallert, jazz historian and co-author of Before Motown (University of Michigan Regional 2001)

"Behind the Swing" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnobles.com, and bookamillion.com