Too Marvelous for Words

Reviews / Votes

'Remarkably, this is the first biography of this major figure ... and as such is most welcome. It's a further achievement that the text is fond but fair, acknowledging the drink problems as well as lauding the harmonic innovations.'
Brian Glasser, Q "In the wonderful continuance of African-American musical expression in the United States, Art Tatum's story is one of the rarest gems of them all....Lester, a former Louisan, has done us all a favor in exposing this great American saga. His book details the joyful journey of a soul lurking in the shadows, awaiting the moment to whip the melody into a frenzy."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Well documented, full of interesting anecdotes, and will give readers valuable insight into the life of this incredible musician."--The Japan Times "Lester carefully separates verifiable information from the abundant fancy about Tatum's relationships and early career; he also excitingly depicts the New York City jazz scene during the rise of be-bop and the enormously rich activity of the 1930s and '40s."--Publishers Weekly "A welcome addition to the canon of jazz biographies."--Quarterly Black Review of Books "An extremely valuable addition to jazz studies."--Booklist "The only major biography about jazz pianist Art Tatum, one of the most important keyboardists of the twentieth century....Full of eyewitness accounts of Tatum's superhuman command of the piano by many jazz legends, including Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller Les Paul, and Teddy Wilson....A welcome addition to the canon of jazz biographies."--Quarterly Black Review of Books "Besides impressions of Tatum, readers will absorb a sense of the times in which he grew, when the jazz scene was so very different from today's glitzy, academic, and often manicured world....What a relief to finally have it, this readable, personable work."--Toledo Blade "Lester is perceptive and original....Among the spate of jazz biographies that have been inflicted upon us in recent years, Too Marvelous for Words stands out from the crowd. Just like Art Tatum."--The Washington Post "Mr. Lester has wrtten not only a detailed study of his subject's career and musical influence but a vivid portrayal of the American jazz ferment of the 1930s and '40s....Well-organized and written with clarity, sensitivity and humor."--The Baltimore Sun "Too Marvelous for Words is an important work. It is a much-needed reminder of what a Mount Everest Tatum was, is and always will be on the jazz scene."--The Hartford Courant "Beautifully balanced, meticulous....I've never heard James Lester play piano, but I sure do like his biography of Art Tatum. It's a marvelous bunch of words."--The Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) "Long-overdue biography....A readable, valuable work....Lester fills many of the gaps in our understanding of a brilliant and enormously influential pianist."--Mississippi Rag "The author's own playing experience and obvious musical sophistication blend to produce an insightful discussion of the creative process in jazz....Jazz history written by a literate musician is an all-too-rare treat."--Tailgate Ramblings (The Potomac River Jazz Club) "Lester...plays psychologist, detective and occasionally political commentator, making this an enjoyable read for even the uninitiated."--The Daily Yomiuri "A readable chronology of the life of a jazz genius, rife with fascinating quotes and reminisces [sic] from folks who were there when all the music was being played, the booze drunk, the laughs laughed. You close this book with the feeling that you knew what Art Tatum must have been like."--Tokyo Weekender Lively and very educational in a fun way. * Brian Dalton, Beat Scene, No. 25 *