-
Foreword
- University of California Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
The music called jazz is blessed to have so many devoted friends and fans, none more faithful than Lucille and Floyd Levin. Throughout the years this dynamic duo, a familiar sight at musical events in Los Angeles and elsewhere, have always given their support and encouragement to the performers and promoters. Somehow, during the years running his own business, Floyd found time to write articles about what he saw and heard. Since his retirement , he has devoted full time to his special interest and increased even further his activities on behalf of our music. The result is this book, a varied compilation of Floyd’s articles over the last forty years. They attest to his wide knowledge, devotion, and intuitive sensitivity to our art form. No one is better qualified to cover this vast material and long span of time. His musical interests are all-encompassing and eclectic, running from the earliest jazz to the present day. Floyd and Lucille have intimately been involved with the music and the musicians covered in this volume. Their organizational achievements are also multiple. Elsewhere you will read about their work in the founding of jazz societies, the production of jazz events, and the creation of honors to musicians. I am personally indebted to Floyd for creating the Benny Carter Award, presented annually by the American Federation of Jazz Societies. I first met Floyd and Lucille some fifty years ago and count them among my dearest friends. I am therefore extremely pleased that the FOREWORD University of California Press is publishing Floyd’s Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. This book will join the many other fine volumes covering the development and history of classic jazz and will help to illuminate our genuinely American art form. Benny Carter June 1998 xvi Foreword ...