Luck's In My Corner: The Life and Music of Hot Lips Page

by Todd Bryant Weeks

Overview

Luck’s in My Corner is a comprehensive biography of one of the most compelling jazz musicians of the Swing Era, Oran "Hot Lips’ Page. Page was the greatest of the Kansas City trumpeters, whose crackling, growling solos made him the go-to man during Count Basie’s earliest days as a bandleader. Page went on to be a featured trumpeter with Artie Shaw, a star of New York’s 52^nd street, and a pioneer of the R & B scene of the 1950s. This book presents an in-depth chronology of Page’s career, with special attention paid to the development of his trumpet style.

Luck’s in My Corner examines the life and music of a forgotten figure of the Swing Era and returns him to his rightful place as a leading light in the world of jazz. Todd Bryant Weeks has combined genealogical, musicological, discographical and historical research, resulting in a revealing and entertaining examination of a life that spanned major changes in American popular music. This book includes a new and complete discography by the author and dozens of unpublished photos.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415962186
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/29/2008
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Part 1. Texas Introduction 1. Cuero, 1900 2. Black Dallas, 1902 - 1923 3. Goin’ To The Territory 1926 - 1927 4. Texas Trumpeter Part 2. Barnstorming 5. The Blue Devils, 1927—1931 6. Ya Got Love, 1931 7. With Bennie, 1931—1935 8. Kansas City Man, 1935—1936 Part 3. Luck’s In My Corner 9. Home to Harlem, 1936—193 10. The Street, 1939—1941 11. The Big Time, 1941—1945 12. Uptown Jive, 1945—1949 13. Open The Door Richard, 1949—1954 Epilogue: Miss Larceny Postscript Mr. After Hours

Editorial Reviews

"This book, Luck's in my Corner, is worth checking out because it's the total package... Todd's research is monumental and he's a fine writer... Todd's remarks are always on the mark, while his transcriptions are invaluable... I don't think anyone else can write another word on Lips without it being compared to this magnificent work." - http://Dippermouth.Blogspot.com

"On his soulful trumpet and as a riveting singer of the blues, Oran "Lips" Page was and remains a permanent jazz master. At last, there is a book that brings the man and his music fully back to life. Luck's In My Corner: The Life and Music of Hot Lips Page by Todd Bryant Weeks is essential for any jazz library." -Nat Hentoff, Wall Street Journal

"In telling the life story of legendary jazz trumpeter Oran "Hot Lips" Page, author Todd Bryant Weeks has penned one of the major jazz biographies. Mr. Weeks has has crafted a beautifully written, deeply compassionate, psychologically insightful and multi-layered portrait of an extraordinary real life human being. I heartily recommend this book." - David Krakauer, international concert and recording artist

From the Publisher