Stanley Crouch war eine prägende amerikanische Stimme, deren Schriften den Kern der amerikanischen Kultur trafen, insbesondere in den Bereichen Jazz und Rassismus. Als lebendiger Dichter, Musikkritiker und Journalist erforschte er die Feinheiten der amerikanischen Identität und Kunst mit unerschütterlichem Intellekt und leidenschaftlicher Prosa. Seine Arbeit, geprägt von seinen Erfahrungen als Aktivist und Musiker, bietet tiefe Einblicke in historische und zeitgenössische soziokulturelle Landschaften. Leser finden in seinen Werken eine fesselnde Mischung aus scharfer Analyse und lebendigem Kommentar.
Stanley Crouch, a prominent figure in American literature, was renowned for his bold writing style and insightful critiques, particularly in jazz. Born in Los Angeles in 1945, he engaged readers with his passionate and sometimes controversial views on race, politics, literature, and music. His larger-than-life personality and intellectual curiosity made him a beloved yet polarizing critic, leaving a significant impact on literary and cultural discourse following his death in 2020.
Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker is the first installment in the long-awaited portrait of one of the most talented and influential musicians of the twentieth century, from Stanley Crouch, one of the foremost authorities on jazz and culture in America. Throughout his life, Charlie Parker personified the tortured American artist: a revolutionary performer who used his alto saxophone to create a new music known as bebop even as he wrestled with a drug addiction that would lead to his death at the age of thirty-four. Drawing on interviews with peers, collaborators, and family members, Kansas City Lightning recreates Parker’s Depression-era childhood; his early days navigating the Kansas City nightlife, inspired by lions like Lester Young and Count Basie; and on to New York, where he began to transcend the music he had mastered. Crouch reveals an ambitious young man torn between music and drugs, between his domineering mother and his impressionable young wife, whose teenage romance with Charlie lies at the bittersweet heart of this story. With the wisdom of a jazz scholar, the cultural insights of an acclaimed social critic, and the narrative skill of a literary novelist, Stanley Crouch illuminates this American master as never before.
Set against the backdrop of America’s complex social landscape, the novel explores the passionate yet tumultuous relationship between Carla, a blonde jazz singer, and Maxwell, a black tenor saxophonist. Their intense five-year love affair faces external pressures from both racial and cultural expectations, challenging their commitment to one another. As Carla fights to preserve their bond, her past intertwines with the present, revealing a diverse cast of characters and unpredictable situations that illuminate the struggles of love across societal boundaries.
Stanley Crouch delivers a provocative exploration of American culture, addressing subjects ranging from the American South to significant events like the death of Tupac Shakur and the O.J. Simpson verdict. His commentary is marked by a commitment to truth, often confronting painful realities. Crouch's deep passion and extensive knowledge of jazz, covering legends such as Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis, further enrich his insights, making him a unique voice in cultural and political discourse.
This collection of essays showcases Stanley Crouch's sharp and insightful commentary on race and culture in America. Known for his eloquence and unpredictability, Crouch tackles complex societal issues with a unique perspective. His work has garnered recognition as a New York Times Notable Book, reflecting his influence and prominence in national media. Through his essays, readers can expect a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary cultural dynamics.
Arthur Sammler ist polnisch-jüdischer Herkunft, war Jounalist in England und sieht seine Umwelt, die amerikanische Gesellschaft der sechziger Jahre, mit den Erfahrungen eines über Siebzigjährigen, der dem Tod schon mehrfach gegenüberstand, einmal als ein von Fanatikern Gejagter, als einziger Überlebender in einem Massengrab eines deutschen KZ's und verborgen in einer Grabkammer. Dem Familiensinn seines nur um einige Jahre jüngeren Neffens, eines vermögenden Chirurgen und Geschäftsmannes, verdanken er und seine exaltierte Tochter ihr jetziges Leben in New York. Beschrieben werden drei Tage dieses Lebens
