During America's Swing Era, no musician was more successful or controversial than Artie Shaw: the charismatic and opinionated clarinetist-bandleader whose dozens of hits became anthems for "the greatest generation." But some of his most beautiful recordings were not issued until decades after he'd left the scene. He broke racial barriers by hiring African American musicians. His frequent "retirements" earned him a reputation as the Hamlet of jazz. And he quit playing for good at the height of his powers. The handsome Shaw had seven wives (including Lana Turner and Ava Gardner). Inveterate reader and author of three books, he befriended the best-known writers of his time.

Tom Nolan, who interviewed Shaw between 1990 and his death in 2004 and spoke with one hundred of his colleagues and contemporaries, captures Shaw and his era with candor and sympathy, bringing the master to vivid life and restoring him to his rightful place in jazz history.

Originally published in hardcover under the title Three Chords for Beauty's Sake.

About the Author
Tom Nolan, the author of the critically acclaimed and Edgar Award-nominated Ross Macdonald: A Biography, is a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal's Leisure & Arts page. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews
"Makes sense of a turbulent life that even Artie Shaw himself had given up on explaining." -- Ted Gioia - San Francisco Chronicle
"Tom Nolan proves himself valiantly...It's not simply the first-hand research, the careful investigation of the facts, the easy, approachable prose style...The portrait is thorough, providing a deep study of a man both complicated and coarse, creating beauty through his clarinet and creating turmoil through his actions." -- Michael Steinman - Jazz Lives
"Compelling...scented with understanding and charm." -- Michael D. Langan - Buffalo News
"A beautifully measured, unforgiving account...an exemplary work of jazz biography." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Every great artist deserves a great biography, and Swing Era bandleader and clarinetist Artie Shaw finally has one....Nolan has crafted a well-written, highly entertaining, and informative biography." -- Peter Thornell - Library Journal
"Enthralling...[Artie Shaw] gives the satisfactions of a true rags-to-riches story...and plausibly accounts for Shaw's huge character faults without obscuring his charm and prodigious talent." -- Ray Olson - Booklist
"At last, the lively, continually imaginative life of the most creative clarinetist in jazz history." -- Nat Hentoff, author of At the Jazz Band Ball: Sixty Years at the Jazz Scene



Book Information
ISBN 9780393340105
Author Tom Nolan
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 361g
Dimensions(mm) 208mm * 140mm * 30mm