ABOUT THIS BOOK

Despite the fact that most of jazz’s major innovators and performers have been African American, the overwhelming majority of jazz journalists, critics, and authors have been and continue to be white men. No major mainstream jazz publication has ever had a black editor or publisher. Ain’t But a Few of Us presents over two dozen candid dialogues with black jazz critics and journalists ranging from Greg Tate, Farah Jasmine Griffin, and Robin D. G. Kelley to Tammy Kernodle, Ron Welburn, and John Murph. They discuss the obstacles to access for black jazz journalists, outline how they contend with the world of jazz writing dominated by white men, and point out that these racial disparities are not confined to jazz but hamper their efforts at writing about other music genres as well. Ain’t But a Few of Us also includes an anthology section, which reprints classic essays and articles from black writers and musicians such as LeRoi Jones, Archie Shepp, A. B. Spellman, and Herbie Nichols.

Contributors
Eric Arnold, Bridget Arnwine, Angelika Beener, Playthell Benjamin, Herb Boyd, Bill Brower, Jo Ann Cheatham, Karen Chilton, Janine Coveney, Marc Crawford, Stanley Crouch, Anthony Dean-Harris, Jordannah Elizabeth, Lofton Emenari III, Bill Francis, Barbara Gardner, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Jim Harrison, Eugene Holley Jr., Haybert Houston, Robin James, Willard Jenkins, Martin Johnson, LeRoi Jones, Robin D. G. Kelley, Tammy Kernodle, Steve Monroe, Rahsaan Clark Morris, John Murph, Herbie Nichols, Don Palmer, Bill Quinn, Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr., Ron Scott, Gene Seymour, Archie Shepp, Wayne Shorter, A. B. Spellman, Rex Stewart, Greg Tate, Billy Taylor, Greg Thomas, Robin Washington, Ron Welburn, Hollie West, K. Leander Williams, Ron Wynn

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Willard Jenkins is the Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival as well as an arts consultant, producer, educator, and print and broadcast journalist. His writing has been featured in JazzTimes, Downbeat, Jazz Forum, Jazzwise, and many other publications. He is the coauthor of African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston, also published by Duke University Press. He is the writer of the multipart Billie Holiday documentary podcast No Regrets.

REVIEWS

"With the conductive virtuosity of Butch Morris, Jenkins . . . assembles an impressive paean to the Black writers who’ve dedicated their lives to capturing in language what jazz musicians conjure in a split second. With more than two dozen thoughtful profiles, this is a fascinating dive into the sociopolitical realities of being a Black writer—in this case, Black writers who love jazz and express that love in vivid prose. . . . A memorable love letter to Black art, Black joy, and the writers who have sought to tell it like it really is."

-- Kirkus Reviews

"A modern, fresh collection of interviews. . . . A triumphantly panoramic view of the visceral experience of Black jazz journalists and those who choose to cover the music successfully, by being published widely and regularly throughout their careers."

-- Jordannah Elizabeth New York Amsterdam News

"The spectrum of vibrant Black voices in Ain’t But a Few of Us is broad, relaying their experiences in the trenches of the jazz media field—from cub reporters to trailblazers.. . . . The book serves as a testament to the experiences of a rare few, proof-positive that Black writers and editors are not alone."

-- Ayana Contreras Downbeat

"To say that this book is an essential read is an understatement. It is essential not only to enjoy the eloquence and grace of the writing, the depth of knowledge, expertise and experience of these writers, but because things must change. Jazz needs more black voices. The world needs more black voices."

-- Fiona Ross Kind of Jazz

"For jazz buffs and those interested in American culture, this is a spellbinding read and quite impossible to put down. This is an open invitation for the curious wanting an aural adventure."

-- Robert Fleming African American Literature Book Club

"The importance of Willard’s new book Ain’t But A Few of Us cannot be underestimated. A collection of journeys – lived experiences – from the voices of 49 truly inspirational black writers. It is groundbreaking for many reasons. Groundbreaking because never before has the lack of black jazz journalists been documented. Groundbreaking because never before has such an inspirational collection of writers been given a platform to share their experiences. Willard has given a long overdue platform to incredible voices."

-- Fiona Ross Jazz in Europe

"Revelatory, inspiring, passionate, damning and sobering."

-- Raymond Cummings The Wire

"Ain't But a Few of Us should be considered required reading for high school and college students, particularly those pursuing careers in music or journalism. . . . For students, each writer offers a personal history of their lives with shared commonalities in their insights, the importance of inclusion and diversity, and, regardless of barriers and disparities, giving up is never an option."

-- Ron Scott New York Amsterdam News

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pure Jazz

Jazz Spotlite News

Jazz Now

The Grackle

DownBeat

Transition

DownBeat

JazzTimes

New Music Box

JazzTimes

Nextbop

ISAM Newsletter

Ain’t But a Few of Us

Commentaries on the Times

The Grackle

The Fader

JazzTimes

DownBeat

Rhythm

DownBeat

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