Overview

"Regardless of our race, sex, ethnicity, color, religion or philosophical beliefs, music is a universal tie that binds us as human beings. Every note a nod to history, every tune a step on the trajectory toward a more compassionate understanding of each other. The world of jazz music during the 1950s and 60s was an industry that reflected the struggles of the Civil Rights Era. And when a White musician enters the big stages and ""sounds Black,"" attempting to unify the culture of society, it can teeter on cultural treason.From spending nearly three decades as a bandmate and friend to Dizzy Gillespie and four decades as collaborator and ""brother"" to saxophone great, James Moody; to turning down offers from Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and the Tonight Show band with Johnny Carson; to teaching hundreds of students in the rhythmic principles of music, professional jazz pianist, Mike Longo dedicated his seventy-year music career to having his ears set on the beat and his sights set on shaping greater unity for humankind. The Rhythm of Unity takes you into a world that is no longer ""Black and White,"" but one where the scientific rhythms and spiritual truths of music run deep, driving to counter cultural division. Crafted from the stories Mike left behind before his passing and insightful perspective from his wife, Dorothy, this is the story of a man who fought all odds to become a driving force in using music as an uncompromised vehicle for unity, education and awareness."

Full Product Details

9781956470741

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Mike Longo is best remembered as the pianist with Dizzy Gillespie during 1966-73 and for his own trio albums. As The Rhythm of Unity shows, he was also an inspiring teacher, a devoted husband, a fighter for equal rights, a believer in the Bahá'í faith, the founder of Consolidated Artists, and a colorful storyteller. Fortunately, he had written most of his memoirs prior to his death in 2020 and his wife Dorothy Longo added her own stories and insights to this consistently enlightening autobiography. One learns along the way about the permanent effect that a single note that Dizzy Gillespie played on the radio had on the young pianist, his lessons with Oscar Peterson, his relations with Black people and the Civil Rights movement, his early days as a swing pianist including playing at the Metropole, and his longtime relationships with Dizzy Gillespie and James Moody. The Rhythm of Unity is one of the most rewarding jazz books of recent times."" -Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 12 books including Life Through the Eyes of A Jazz Journalist ""Mike was an institution for all of us, not just musically, but how to be a wonderful human being, humanitarian; to be so gracious, to be so humble. That's what was so wonderful about him, and that augmented his music even more."" -Nabaté Isles, Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer, and producer (nabateisles.com) ""Mike Longo believed in the importance of continuous learning as a musician and as a human being. It was what he taught his students and what he lived from a very early age, bringing those he touched into a world where every individual-Black, White, or of any race-mattered. In The Rhythm of Unity, Mike's incredible vision lives on, offering readers the opportunity to expand their perspective on what music can be and the power it holds in helping us grow together as one human race."" -Gary Bartz, two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist ""As Mike and I both played piano, we never got to share the stage together but I was fortunate to hear him play many times, with Dizzy and with his own trio. I even bought one of his books on jazz back in the day! This book is totally different; it's a manifesto for how we should all live, not just as musicians but as people and his mission is crystal clear: treat every human being with care. We all matter. Through music, we can bridge the gap between races, cultures, generations."" -Michael Wolff, jazz pianist and composer"

Mike Longo is best remembered as the pianist with Dizzy Gillespie during 1966-73 and for his own trio albums. As The Rhythm of Unity shows, he was also an inspiring teacher, a devoted husband, a fighter for equal rights, a believer in the Baha'i faith, the founder of Consolidated Artists, and a colorful storyteller. Fortunately, he had written most of his memoirs prior to his death in 2020 and his wife Dorothy Longo added her own stories and insights to this consistently enlightening autobiography. One learns along the way about the permanent effect that a single note that Dizzy Gillespie played on the radio had on the young pianist, his lessons with Oscar Peterson, his relations with Black people and the Civil Rights movement, his early days as a swing pianist including playing at the Metropole, and his longtime relationships with Dizzy Gillespie and James Moody. The Rhythm of Unity is one of the most rewarding jazz books of recent times. -Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 12 books including Life Through the Eyes of A Jazz Journalist Mike was an institution for all of us, not just musically, but how to be a wonderful human being, humanitarian; to be so gracious, to be so humble. That's what was so wonderful about him, and that augmented his music even more. -Nabate Isles, Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer, and producer (nabateisles.com) Mike Longo believed in the importance of continuous learning as a musician and as a human being. It was what he taught his students and what he lived from a very early age, bringing those he touched into a world where every individual-Black, White, or of any race-mattered. In The Rhythm of Unity, Mike's incredible vision lives on, offering readers the opportunity to expand their perspective on what music can be and the power it holds in helping us grow together as one human race. -Gary Bartz, two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist As Mike and I both played piano, we never got to share the stage together but I was fortunate to hear him play many times, with Dizzy and with his own trio. I even bought one of his books on jazz back in the day! This book is totally different; it's a manifesto for how we should all live, not just as musicians but as people and his mission is crystal clear: treat every human being with care. We all matter. Through music, we can bridge the gap between races, cultures, generations. -Michael Wolff, jazz pianist and composer

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available