But Beautiful

June 2, 1997
The author uses fact and fiction to dramatize the lives of eight jazz legends.

Lyrical, evocative writing is matched with a top-shelf performance in this evocative book of vignettes on how some of the jazz greats practiced their art. With his wide range of dialects and exceptional ability to immerse himself in a story, Dion Graham delivers the kind of listening experience that you'll want to hear in one sitting and in the dark--a slowly unfolding tableau of moody characters and difficult times. The collection of semi-fictional stories provide an authentic-sounding picture of how legends like Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk lived and worked. The dialogue-rich scenes of how they coped with life, managed their personal demons, and pushed the limits of a musical genre are unforgettable. Lifted by Graham's performance, this is an incomparable window onto the world of jazz in mid-century America. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine