Back to index

But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz

Tags: #music #jazz #fiction #biography #culture #creativity

Authors: Geoff Dyer

Overview

My book, “But Beautiful,” is a fictionalized exploration of the lives and music of some of the most iconic jazz musicians of the 20th century. It’s not a traditional biography or music history. Instead, I use imagined scenes, dialogue, and internal monologues to capture the essence of these musicians, their struggles, and the brilliance of their art. My goal is to convey the feeling and meaning of their music, showing how it reflects their lives and the historical context in which it was created. I delve into the nature of improvisation and musical influence, arguing that jazz musicians are constantly in dialogue with each other and the tradition, creating a living, evolving form of art. I explore the dark side of the music as well, looking at the high price many musicians paid for their dedication to their art–the toll taken by racism, drug addiction, and mental illness. Ultimately, though, “But Beautiful” is a celebration of the power and beauty of jazz, its ability to express the full range of human emotions. It is a book for anyone who loves the music and wants to understand it on a deeper level, as well as anyone interested in the creative process and the interplay between art and life.

Book Outline

1. Duke and Harry on the Road

This section sets the scene with Duke Ellington and his driver, Harry Carney, on a long road trip. Duke, a prolific composer, draws inspiration from the landscapes and experiences encountered on the road, often jotting down musical ideas on whatever is at hand. He views the road as his home and the car as his hearth, emphasizing the intimacy and shared history of their long journeys together.

Key concept: Duke Ellington’s music often started with a mood, an impression, or something he had seen or heard. He would then translate that experience into music. For example, ‘Sunset and the Mocking Bird’ was inspired by an exquisite bird call, while ‘Lightning Bugs and Frogs’ came from a drive through Cincinnati where trees were backlit by the moon and surrounded by the sound of frogs.

2. Lester’s Decline

Lester Young, the iconic saxophonist, grapples with isolation and self-destruction in a New York hotel room. Haunted by the trauma of his time in the army, he finds solace in music and alcohol. The narrative explores his relationship with Billie Holiday, who understands him deeply, and their shared vulnerability.

Key concept: Lester Young described his experience with drugs as, “Well, that’s the only way I know to explain myself. When you are high, does it affect you physically? —Oh yes, sir. I don’t want to do anything. I don’t care to blow my horn and I don’t care to be around anybody . . . —It affects you badly? —Just nervous.”

3. Monk’s World

Thelonious Monk, a singular pianist and composer, navigates life in his own idiosyncratic way. He finds solace in routine and familiarity, surrounded by his wife, Nellie, and his beloved piano. The narrative delves into Monk’s unique musical approach, his struggle with mental health, and his enduring love for his wife.

Key concept: “See, jazz always had this thing, having your own sound so all sorts of people who maybe couldn’t have made it in other arts – they’d’ve had their idiosyncrasies ironed out – like if they were writers they’d not ’ve made it ’cause they couldn’t spell or punctuate or painting ’cause they couldn’t draw a straight line. Spelling and straight-line stuff don’t matter necessarily in jazz, so there’s a whole bunch of guys whose stories and thoughts are not like anyone else’s who wouldn’t’ve had a chance to express all the ideas and shit they had inside them without jazz. Cats who in any other walk of life wouldn’t’ve made it as bankers or plumbers even: in jazz they could be geniuses, without it they’d’ve been nothing. Jazz can see things, draw things out of people that painting or writing don’t see.”

4. Ben’s Blues

Ben Webster, a large, soulful tenor saxophonist, navigates life with a deep loneliness. The narrative follows him as he travels through Europe, finding solace in playing his horn, particularly near bodies of water. He finds peace in the quiet appreciation of his music by strangers and a sense of connection with his fellow musicians.

Key concept: “Maybe all exiles are drawn to the sea, the ocean. There is an inherent music in the working sounds of docks and harbours and there were times when he thought that all the melancholy beauty of the blues was present in a foghorn, wailing out to sea, warning men of the dangers that awaited them.”

5. Mingus’ Fury

Charles Mingus, a volatile and brilliant bassist and composer, is depicted as a force of nature. His life and music are inseparable, fueled by both his rage and his creativity. He pushes his musicians to their limits, demanding their absolute commitment to his vision, and confronts audiences with searing honesty.

Key concept: “Music was just part of the ever-expanding project of being Mingus. Every gesture and word of the day, no matter how trivial, was as saturated with himself as every other: from lacing his shoes to composing ‘Meditations’.

6. Bud’s Torment

Bud Powell, a brilliant pianist with a tragic life, struggles with mental illness and addiction. The narrative follows him through breakdowns, hospitalizations, and moments of musical genius. His story is one of pain, resilience, and the enduring power of music.

Key concept: “All that hurt and pain, she said at last. But . . . but . . . —But what? —But . . . beautiful. Like kissed tears, she said, smiling at how silly that sounded. Is it really you?”

Chet Baker, a gifted trumpeter known for his fragile beauty, is portrayed as a man haunted by a need for love and connection. His music, characterized by a heartbreaking vulnerability, reflects his own troubled life.

Key concept: “Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom,’ said Charlie Parker. ‘If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.”

8. Train as Metaphor

Duke Ellington and Harry Carney continue their journey, encountering a long freight train at a railroad crossing. Duke reminisces about his love for trains, particularly the Pullman cars that once transported his band across America, and how the sounds and rhythms of train travel have found their way into his compositions.

Key concept: Duke Ellington draws inspiration from the sound of a passing train, reminiscent of his days traveling by train across America with his band. The train becomes a symbol of both the journey of Black Americans and the evolution of jazz music itself.

9. New Beginnings

The final scene finds Duke, inspired by a radio program on the history of jazz, on the verge of a new musical idea. As dawn breaks, he feels the creative urge taking shape, hinting at the ongoing evolution of his music and the endless possibilities within the jazz tradition.

Key concept: “—You know, Harry, I think I might have got it. —What’s that, Duke? —Just something, he said, searching the dashboard for a piece of paper.”

Essential Questions

1. How does the book explore the connection between the lives and music of jazz musicians?

This question examines the core concept of the book: how the lives and experiences of jazz musicians are reflected in their music. Dyer argues that jazz is a deeply personal and autobiographical art form, where each note, phrase, and solo tells a story. The book supports this idea through its fictionalized accounts of these musicians’ struggles with addiction, racism, and mental illness, and how those experiences found expression in their playing. For example, Lester Young’s haunting, vulnerable tone is directly linked to his struggles with racism and addiction, while Chet Baker’s fragile and melancholic style reflects his own search for love and connection. Dyer’s purpose is to demonstrate that understanding the personal narratives behind the music enhances its appreciation and sheds light on the depth and complexity of jazz as an art form.

2. How does “But Beautiful” illuminate the relationship between tradition and innovation in jazz?

This question probes Dyer’s argument about the nature of jazz as a genre that constantly reinvents itself through improvisation and dialogue with tradition. The book highlights how each musician builds upon the work of those who came before, quoting, transforming, and reinterpreting existing musical ideas. Examples like Ellington’s tribute to Coltrane, “Take the Coltrane,” or Mingus’s “Open Letter to Duke,” demonstrate this continuous dialogue. By exploring the evolution of individual styles and the interplay between different generations of musicians, Dyer shows how jazz thrives on reinvention and the constant push for new sonic possibilities. He implies that this is a key reason why jazz remains relevant and vital, unlike other genres that might become stagnant or repetitive over time.

3. How does the book address the darker side of jazz, including the struggles and tragedies faced by many of its musicians?

This question delves into the darker side of jazz, exploring the physical and psychological toll it took on its creators. Dyer acknowledges the high rate of addiction, mental illness, and early death among jazz musicians, suggesting that the intensity and demands of the music itself might contribute to these tragedies. The book portrays the struggles of musicians like Lester Young, Bud Powell, and Chet Baker, who grappled with demons both internal and external, their music reflecting their pain and vulnerability. By confronting this tragic dimension, Dyer adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of jazz, highlighting the sacrifices and struggles that often lie behind its brilliance.

Key Takeaways

1. Innovation often stems from a deep understanding and mastery of tradition, followed by a conscious effort to push beyond it.

This takeaway is rooted in the way jazz musicians learn and innovate. They often start by imitating their heroes, mastering existing styles, and then gradually developing their own unique voice. This process of absorbing and transcending influence is central to the evolution of jazz.

Practical Application:

In product design, borrowing successful elements from existing products and then iterating on them with new technology or features can lead to innovative solutions. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of previous designs, product engineers can create something familiar yet novel.

2. Collaboration and open dialogue are essential for innovation and creative breakthroughs.

The book showcases how jazz is a collaborative art form, with musicians constantly influencing each other through jam sessions, live performances, and shared musical experiences. This constant dialogue and exchange of ideas is essential to the music’s vitality and its ability to constantly reinvent itself.

Practical Application:

When leading a team, fostering an environment of open dialogue and collaboration, where ideas can be freely exchanged and challenged, can lead to breakthroughs. Encourage team members to build on each other’s ideas, just like a jazz ensemble improvises together.

3. Art and technology can reflect and shape the social and historical context in which they are created.

Throughout the book, Dyer emphasizes how jazz music has been deeply intertwined with the struggles and experiences of Black Americans. The music reflects the pain of racism, the hope for freedom, and the resilience of a people. This reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is shaped by social and historical forces.

Practical Application:

In AI development, ethical considerations should be at the forefront of the process. Just as jazz has a history of reflecting social injustices, AI engineers need to be mindful of the potential impact of their creations on society and work to mitigate bias and potential harm.

Memorable Quotes

Preface. 7

What follows, then, is as much imaginative criticism as fiction.

Epigraph. 10

Producers of great art are no demigods but fallible human beings, often with neurotic and damaged personalities.

Monk’s World. 39

See, jazz always had this thing, having your own sound so all sorts of people who maybe couldn’t have made it in other arts… in jazz they could be geniuses, without it they’d’ve been nothing. Jazz can see things, draw things out of people that painting or writing don’t see.

Ben’s Blues. 77

When somebody asked about his philosophy of music Duke said, ‘I like great big ole tears,’ and Ben was like that too.

Chet’s Search. 101

Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom,’ said Charlie Parker. ‘If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.

Comparative Analysis

“But Beautiful” distinguishes itself from traditional jazz biographies and music histories by its unconventional approach. While books like Gary Giddins’ “Visions of Jazz” offer comprehensive historical accounts and critical analyses, Dyer chooses to focus on the lived experiences and emotional landscapes of the musicians. Similar to Alex Ross’s “The Rest Is Noise,” which explores 20th-century music through a cultural lens, Dyer connects jazz to the broader social and historical context of its time. However, unlike Ross’s meticulous research and detailed historical framework, Dyer prioritizes subjective, emotionally charged storytelling, echoing the raw, confessional tone of autobiographies like Art Pepper’s “Straight Life.” While some might argue that Dyer sacrifices accuracy for poetic license, his approach allows for a more intimate and emotionally resonant exploration of the music and the lives that shaped it.

Reflection

“But Beautiful” is not a factual, chronological account of the jazz scene. It’s a subjective, impressionistic, and at times speculative journey into the hearts and minds of these musicians. Dyer’s interpretations, while often insightful, are not without their potential biases. He romanticizes the struggles and self-destructive tendencies of these musicians, perhaps overlooking the personal responsibility and agency involved in their choices. His emphasis on the emotional and experiential aspects of jazz might lead some to question the music’s intellectual rigor or technical mastery. However, Dyer’s unconventional approach also opens up new ways of understanding and appreciating the music, highlighting its emotional depth and its ability to speak to the human condition. Despite its subjective nature, “But Beautiful” offers a compelling and thought-provoking reflection on the power of jazz to express the joy, pain, and beauty of life, and the enduring legacy of these remarkable musicians.

Flashcards

Why are photographs of jazz musicians, especially during live performances, particularly valuable?

The author argues that jazz musicians, unlike classical musicians or actors, are engaged in the creation of art in its rawest form, making their photographs valuable documentation of the creative process.

How did Dizzy Gillespie develop his signature ‘bebop’ sound?

Dizzy Gillespie describes how he developed his unique sound by failing to accurately imitate Roy Eldridge’s style.

What is George Steiner’s key quote about art criticism in “Real Presences”?

“The best readings of art are art.” In other words, the highest form of criticism is art itself.

What is Charles Mingus’s view on the future of ‘free jazz’?

He believes that the energy and experimentation of free jazz will eventually lead musicians back to the blues and a focus on stronger swing.

How does John Coltrane’s music reflect the historical context of the 1960s?

The intense, often chaotic sound of his later work reflects the turbulent social and political climate of the 1960s, particularly the rise of Black Power and the struggles for civil rights.

How did Charles Mingus challenge the traditional structures of the music industry?

He wanted to own the means of production, including his own record label, festival, club, and music school. He also desired to control the distribution of his music, attempting mail-order only record sales.