Detroit Jazz Who’s Who by Herb Boyd & Leni Sinclair

Discover the Icons of the Motor City Vanguard

Detroit Jazz Who’s Who is the definitive historical directory capturing the soul of Michigan’s legendary music scene. Published in 1984 by the Jazz Research Institute, this rare treasure is a collaborative masterpiece by acclaimed author and historian Herb Boyd and legendary counterculture photographer Leni Sinclair.

Spanning decades of rich musical heritage, the book serves as an essential encyclopedia for music historians and jazz enthusiasts alike. It features intimate biographies and meticulous documentation of the city’s vanguard musicians who shaped the global landscape of jazz.

Also included: a preface by pianist Ken Cox, and a poem by John Sinclair dedicated to musician Dave Wilborn; an essay on the early years of Black music in Detroit, and one on “Black Bottom and Beyond,” both by Boyd; and an article on the Graystone Ballroom by Lars Bjorn.

Key Features:

Stunning Visual Archive: Immerse yourself in nearly 400 striking, authentic photographs captured by Leni Sinclair, famed for her raw documentation of Detroit’s political underground and vanguard music scenes.
Expert Historical Commentary: Deep-dive profiles and contextual history curated by Herb Boyd, one of the most trusted voices in African American studies and jazz journalism.
Comprehensive Directory: An unmatched biographical reference detailing the careers, collaborations, and legacies of hundreds of Detroit-based jazz musicians.
Collector’s Artifact: A highly sought-after trade paperback that stands as a foundational piece of mid-80s independent jazz research.

Whether you are looking to explore the roots of the Motor City’s avant-garde movement or adding a rare gem to your music library, Detroit Jazz Who’s Who provides an unforgettable look through the lens of the artists who lived it. [3.2]

$ 75.00