Jazz Spring and Autumn: Profiles of Musicians and the Spirit of the Times: Profiles of Musicians and the Spirit of the Times

Author: Sun Xiuhui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Sun Xiuhui's writing often allows readers to "see" music, and her meticulous verification of references is something everyone can learn from. Her tone is quite distinctive—besides the feminine delicacy and refinement, it often carries a touch of sharpness. Reading such articles is a rare pleasure. Jazz is not an encyclopedia-style introduction to musical genres or a record guide. Its format is closer to a "biographical" character study, with appended related film and literary materials, as well as recommendations for further listening. Of course, it also includes portraits of musicians and album cover images. Despite these elements giving it the appearance of a "reference book," Jazz does not pretend to be a comprehensive, all-encompassing work. Stylistically, it is closer to a (essays). It is the author's personal insights accumulated over more than a decade of listening. The articles often shift from telling the stories of musicians in a particular time and place to dwelling on the author's own life details, bringing in the atmosphere of the present moment. These distant music creations from faraway places and eras thus forge a connection with you and me, becoming meaningful echoes in our lives. Sun Xiuhui's writing is warm, clear, and unhurried, making you feel an urge to immediately find that record and listen while reading on.