Meet the Author! Paul de Barros’ Marian McPartland Biography Book Signing

Book Signing for Paul De Barros’ Shall We Play That One Together? The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland

Marian McPartland is a living legend in the world of piano jazz.  In a field dominated by men, the Grammy Award-winning McPartland distinguished herself as one of the greatest jazz pianists of her age.  With Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland jazz critic Paul de Barros provides a riveting portrait of a woman who was born in the UK and taught to play classical piano as a young girl, but who was nevertheless passionately attracted to the soulful rhythms of American jazz.  The Jazzschool is honored to host this special book-signing event for an important new biography of a true jazz legend.

About Marian McPartland:
In 1944, donning combat boots and a helmet, Marian waded ashore at Normandy Beach as part of a USO unit sent to entertain troops on the front lines.  Traversing through the grim landscape of late WWII, Marian arrived in Belgium where fate allowed her to cross paths with her future husband, Jimmy McPartland, a cocky young trumpet player from Chicago who was the protégé of the great Bix Beiderbecke. They were married and, together, made jazz history. Moving from Chicago to New York, Marian’s classical technique coupled with perfect pitch and a very personal sense of how to “swing” a tune made her appearances a must for the likes of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ben Webster and other jazz luminaries.  From there she went on to triumphs at places like the Umbria Jazz Festival and her greatest accomplishment, the revered NPR show “Piano Jazz” which she started in 1979.  PAUL DE BARROS’S account of McPartland’s life is a history of an age when jazz was a vital art form played in beatnik cafes, Carnegie Hall and everywhere in between. Just as inviting as Marian’s signature question on “Piano Jazz”, SHALL WE PLAY THAT ONE TOGETHER? is an invitation to readers everywhere to listen to the score of a bygone age.

About the Author:
Paul de Barros covers jazz and world music for the Seattle Times and is a noted freelance jazz critic.

FREE Event