An Afternoon of Jazz with Dwan Bosman Sunday, April 19 at Sharon Forks Library

An Afternoon of Jazz with Dwan Bosman

Sharon Forks Library presents an Afternoon of Jazz with Dwan Bosman on Sunday, April 19, 2:00–3:00 p.m. Mr. Bosman will perform the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker that jazz lovers of all ages can appreciate. 

There is never an end. There are always new sounds to imagine; new feelings to get at.

John Coltrane   

These illustrated biographies from our juvenile collection highlight the stories and artists behind some of the iconic jazz artists that inspired Dwan Bosman's own musical journey. 

Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey by Gary Golio; Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Vibrant acrylic paintings and mixed media illustrations reveal saxophonist John Coltrane’s musical and spiritual journeys. This biography describes Coltrane’s musical calling, and the thrill of playing alongside his heroes like Dizzy Gillespie, John Hodges, and Miles Davis. The book also describes Coltrane’s spiritual journey, revealing how his battles with addiction led to him losing his job playing with the Miles Davis Band, and how that setback changed his life. Coltrane returned to his family roots and spent time in meditation. After overcoming his addiction, he was able to perform even better than before, revolutionizing jazz, recording his own record, leading his own group and becoming a jazz legend of his own.  

Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound by Kathleen Cornell Berman; Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown

Birth of the Cool describes Miles Davis' musical journey from listening to the music of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington on the radio, receiving a trumpet for his thirteenth birthday, feeling overlooked in the high school band, and discovering bebop. Miles Davis' lucky break came when he was asked to fill in for an absent musician and got the opportunity to perform with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Bird Parker. But Miles Davis had his own ideas about music and became a master at improvising short, soulful solos. Miles Davis even developed his own style of music,—cool jazz and variations like modal jazz, hard bop, and fusion all inspired by the sounds of his youth. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

Event Image Credit: Forsyth County Public Library

Staff Picks: Books about Juneteenth

Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper

On June 19, 1865 soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas announcing the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery in the United States. Every year the United States commemorates this historic event on June 19.  In Juneteenth for Mazie, a young girl learns about her own family history from the first Juneteenth through events of the Civil Rights era as she prepares for the annual Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth for Mazie uses thoughtful text and colorful illustrations to help young children learn about this important national holiday. 

Picture Books about Living Your Dream

 

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed; illustrated by Stasia Burrington

What is your dream? 

An elementary school assignment sparked one Alabama student’s desire to view earth from space. But when young Mae Jemison first voiced her dream of being an astronaut, her teacher, suggested nursing would be a better fit for the bright African American girl. Mae’s parents strongly encouraged her to follow her own dream. In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space. Onboard the space shuttle Endeavour, Mae took a moment to wave to her proud parents back on Earth.