The Jazz Alphabet– Neil Shapiro
With any list of artists in a given category or book that uses the alphabet or some similar organizational system to move it along, there are sure to be arguments abut who deserves to be included. As he is a devoted fan and not a performer, writer and illustrator Neil Shapiro admits and realizes this apparent limitation and emphasizes that this beautifully-designed collection is his personalJazz alphabet, noting in fact, that whenever he comes upon a new potential entry, he is excited and intrigued and eager to consider future volumes (though the apparent limit of XC’s may make this difficult).
With that out of the way, Shapiro combines direct quotes from the 26 jazz greats (or their fellow players who speak in tribute, as Buddy Rich does of Gene Krupa, who has the ”K” slot) with his own remembrances and images of them to compose an introduction and exploration of a music that similarly combines direct quotes and improvised caricatures of the sounds of life itself. As he is both writer and artist, the flowing changes among fonts and colors add to the Jazz feel of the book, splashing some of the images with hot tones and wrapping others in cooler hues (again, just like Jazz). SO while the words are edifying and engaging, as is often the case with Jazz, even people who cannot read or understand can still get a feel just from the layout and performance.
Whether you are just starting to create words in the idiom of Jazz or even if you have your own slang and vernacular, Neil Shapiro’s The Jazz Alphabetis both useful primer and applause-worthy performance.
– Matt Robinson
