JAM Magazine: April/May 1999 Issue: Storyville

THE END OF THE BEGINNING
by Barry Martyn
200 pp paperback; illustrated, indexed, with CD; from Jazzology Press, 1206 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

"This book is a tribute to a generation of musicians whose contribution to New Orleans music will never be forgotten." -- Barry Martyn

The curious title, The End of the Beginning, refers to the period following jazz's formative years when many first generation jazzmen were still active in New Orleans.

Fortunately, Barry Martyn had the foresight to capture their memories in a series of interviews that began 38 years ago. Only a few of his subjects are still living. This historically valuable volume is a compilation of those informative interviews. Scores of Martyn's photos merge with the narratives to create a clearer image of the colorful era.

The author's introductory remarks precede each segment and establish the individual artist's place in the New Orleans jazz scene. The transcribed paragraphs are in the subject's own words.

The earliest interview took place in 1961 with drummer Joe Watkins who achieved worldwide fame touring with George Lewis' jazz band. The most recent interview, with pianist Walter Lewis, occurred just a few months before The End of the Beginning was published.

Most of Martyn's subjects were born around the turn of the century. The oldest, veteran bassist Eddie Dawson, was born in 1884. He was 78 at the time of his interview and vividly discussed his six-decade career that began in the famed Tuxedo Band in 1906.

Cumulatively, the 41 essays create vivid images of the city, the music and the musicians who made it famous. We learn about obscure players active during jazz's formative years including "Black Benny," "Happy" Bolton, Willie Cornish and Buddy Petit. The narratives describe the venues -- including Kinney's Hall, Masonic Hall, 101 Ranch and Fern Dance Hall -- where the early sounds were heard.

The book's longest and most compelling section, "A Portrait of Chris Kelly," fully documents (for the first time) the career of the enigmatic cornetist. The highly influential instrumentalist was born about a decade before the turn of the last century and died at the age of 36. Martyn uses the words of Kelly's widow and his son plus comments by his followers, Avery "Kid" Howard and George "Kid Shiek" Cola, to create a graphic vision of the musician. The book's accompanying CD includes the actual tapes of their conversations plus Cola discussing Howard's recording of "Careless Love," presumably written by Chris Kelly.

Despite their tremendous importance, few of these seminal artists achieved any degree of fame or financial success. Most of them remained in New Orleans throughout their lives and died in comparative obscurity.

As a very young man, Barry Martyn recognized the importance of preserving these valuable recollections of "the men who created the form, nurtured it, and lived every day of its existence."

The End of the Beginning will remain a source of valuable reference material for future historians.

-- Floyd Levin

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		THE END OF THE BEGINNING by Barry Martyn 200 pp paperback; illustrated, indexed, with CD; from Jazzology Press, 1206 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 "This book is a tribute to a generation of musicians whose contribution to New Orleans music will never be forgotten." -- Barry Martyn The curious title, The End of the Beginning, refers to the period following jazz's formative years when many first generation jazzmen were still active in New Orleans. Fortunately, Barry Martyn had the foresight to capture their memories in a series of interviews that began 38 years ago. Only a few of his subjects are still living. This historically valuable volume is a compilation of those informative interviews. Scores of Martyn's photos merge with the narratives to create a clearer image of the colorful era. The author's introductory remarks precede each segment and establish the individual artist's place in the New Orleans jazz scene. The transcribed paragraphs are in the subject's own words. The earliest interview took place in 1961 with drummer Joe Watkins who achieved worldwide fame touring with George Lewis' jazz band. The most recent interview, with pianist Walter Lewis, occurred just a few months before The End of the Beginning was published. Most of Martyn's subjects were born around the turn of the century. The oldest, veteran bassist Eddie Dawson, was born in 1884. He was 78 at the time of his interview and vividly discussed his six-decade career that began in the famed Tuxedo Band in 1906. Cumulatively, the 41 essays create vivid images of the city, the music and the musicians who made it famous. We learn about obscure players active during jazz's formative years including "Black Benny," "Happy" Bolton, Willie Cornish and Buddy Petit. The narratives describe the venues -- including Kinney's Hall, Masonic Hall, 101 Ranch and Fern Dance Hall -- where the early sounds were heard. The book's longest and most compelling section, "A Portrait of Chris Kelly," fully documents (for the first time) the career of the enigmatic cornetist. The highly influential instrumentalist was born about a decade before the turn of the last century and died at the age of 36. Martyn uses the words of Kelly's widow and his son plus comments by his followers, Avery "Kid" Howard and George "Kid Shiek" Cola, to create a graphic vision of the musician. The book's accompanying CD includes the actual tapes of their conversations plus Cola discussing Howard's recording of "Careless Love," presumably written by Chris Kelly. Despite their tremendous importance, few of these seminal artists achieved any degree of fame or financial success. Most of them remained in New Orleans throughout their lives and died in comparative obscurity. As a very young man, Barry Martyn recognized the importance of preserving these valuable recollections of "the men who created the form, nurtured it, and lived every day of its existence." The End of the Beginning will remain a source of valuable reference material for future historians. -- Floyd Levin RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.