'On the Way to the Sky: Remembering Bob Brookmeyer'

Books about musicians can often present a biographical timeline that sheds little light on the musician behind their creativity. That is not the case with ‘On the Way to the Sky: Remembering Bob Brookmeyer’ written by Michael Stephans.

Published by University of North Texas Press, Michael Stephans’s book is a collection of memories of a musical genius. Bob Brookmeyer was a well-respected musician and the list of contributors to the book is impressive, including Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, John Mosca, Darcy James Argue, Dave Rivello, John Hollenbeck and the late Terry Teachout.

The chronology matters though, and Stephans takes the reader on a personal discovery of Brookmeyer’s recordings from 1952 up until his death in 2011.

The jazz giants Brookmeyer played with is outstanding, with his piano and valve trombone making him an invaluable collaborator with bari saxist Gerry Mulligan, as well as interweaving careers as a composer, arranger and educator. He even became musical director of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and received eight Grammy nominations through his extensive work.

Stephans says: “When writing about music and musicians, a writer’s responsibility is to expand public awareness of other voices in all musical genres.”

This book sheds new light on Brookmeyer’s contribution to jazz and is an engaging read that will delight many a listener and musician.