Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce

by Noal Cohen and Michael Fitzgerald

We have been involved in several projects on alto saxophonist/composer Gigi Gryce. These projects involve biography, discography, bibliography, interviews, musical analysis and appreciation. The most important of these has now been published and is available directly from Noal Cohen. 

What are folks saying about the book?

• "Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce has established a new standard against which all future jazz biographies must be judged." - Bill Barton, Signal To Noise 
• "Cohen and Fitzgerald have done a masterful job of bringing Gryce's life to light…an exemplary study of a neglected figure" - Coda Magazine 
• "This beautifully realised memorial is totally recommended as an absorbing narrative, a dignified portrait of a level-headed and sensitive man, and a valuable accompaniment to his recorded work…epitomising the best kind of scholarship and insightful criticism" - Richard Palmer, Jazz Journal International 
• "painstakingly researched…Cohen and Fitzgerald's approach is scholarly and meticulous" - Joel Roberts, All About Jazz/New York 
• "does Jazz fans another service…the primary value of the book is its in-depth accounts of Gryce's recording sessions (and analyses of the results)" - Larry Nai, Cadence Magazine 
• "Cohen and Fitzgerald have done a heroic job of tracking down obscure facts and questioning the accepted details…a work of quality." - Brian Priestley, Jazz Research News 
• "A valuable addition to the jazz literature, it will serve undergraduate and general readers through professionals/scholars." - T. E. Buehrer, Choice Reviews 
• "To say this biography is a comprehensive undertaking would be an understatement. It is also an interesting and important contribution to jazz literature." - Rob Bauer, IAJRC Journal 
• "diligent research and insightful descriptions…highly recommended" - Joseph Blake, Jazz Steps Newspaper 
• "What happened isn't an especially glamorous, dramatic or heroic story, but that's just why it reveals more about everymusician's life than several volumes full of drooling myths about Bird or Billie." - LA Weekly  
• "monumentally researched…an exceptional chronicle of Gryce's achievements as a working musician…the definitive book on this driven musician and one that in scholarship and attention to detailed, first-hand information can serve as a model for jazz biographies to come." - Ken Waxman, Jazz Weekly

Extensive new research was conducted and subjects who contributed interviews or information include: 

Chris Albertson, David Amram, Margie Anderson, Harold B. Andrews, Fred Baker, Danny Bank, Ran Blake, Walter Bolden, Don Butterfield, Teddy Charles, Valerie Grice Claiborne, Jimmy Cleveland, Bob Cranshaw, Bill Crow, Dr. Art Davis, Al Dreares, Evelyn DuBose, Esmond Edwards, Bunky Emerson, Julian Euell, Art Farmer, Mort Fega, Ira Gitler, Benny Golson, Aurelia Greene, Rev. Jerome Greene, Lorenzo Greenwich, Dick Griffin, Eleanor Gryce, Tommy Gryce, Clifford Gunn, Vinnie Haynes, Jon Hendricks, Nat Hentoff, Raymond Horricks, Thomas James, Hank Jones, Dick Katz, Orrin Keepnews, Brooks Kerr, Wolfgang Knittel, Jack Lazare, Aaron Long, Norman Macklin, Dr. Makanda Ken McIntyre, Louis-Victor Mialy, Bob Mover, Anthony Ortega, Harold Ousley, Cecil Payne, Walter Perkins, Daniel Pinkham, Bobby Porcelli, Benny Powell, Ollie Qusim, Henri Renaud, Jerome Richardson, Sam Rivers, Mickey Roker, Don Schlitten, Dr. Donald Shirley, Horace Silver, Emery Smith, Clifford Solomon, Idrees Sulieman, Kellice Swaggerty, Edwin Swanston, Clark Terry, Ben Tucker, Bob Weinstock, Chris White, Reggie Workman, Judge Bruce Wright, Phil Wright, Richard Wyands.

The resources of institutions such as the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies (Newark, NJ), Library of Congress (Washington, DC), National Archives (New York, NY), Jazz-Institut Darmstadt (Germany), U.S. Navy, Boston Conservatory, New York Public Schools, and many others were accessed for details into publishing, genealogy, education, travel, and, of course, his distinguished performing and recording career.

There are many revelations in this work. There has been a huge amount of misinformation distributed, published, and propagated. Years were spent researching his life and the music and this new work dispels many long-standing myths that have been perpetuated for nearly a half century and provides the first accurate view of Gryce's accomplishments and contributions to the world of music. Unfortunately, the (very few) people who have written about Gryce in the past (mostly in passing or as a footnote) have not even heard his entire oeuvre. 

Additionally, numerous never-before-published photographs of Gryce are included. These are beautiful shots by such artists as Francis Wolff, Bob Parent, Chuck Stewart, Jerry Dantzic, Louis-Victor Mialy, Don Schlitten, Ernest Zwonicek, and Ray Ross.

This book (456 pages) features a foreword by Benny Golson, full discography including private recordings and unissued material, composition index, catalog of Gryce's publishing companies as well as ten chapters of narrative telling the remarkable story of Gigi Gryce.

Second Floor Music may be issuing the music of Gigi Gryce in various formats in the future. Please contact them for details.

We are sure that there will be a new interest in Gryce and his music and hope that we may still learn more about this fascinating figure. If you have information that might be of use, please e-mail mike at jazzdiscography.com 

Updates and corrections to the book are available online. 

Past, Present and Future Events 

• January 1999 - Toronto, Canada
  Gigi Gryce cover article "Emotional Eloquence" by Cohen and Fitzgerald published in Coda Magazine  
• September 1999 - Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
  Three recording sessions of all-Gryce material featuring Ralph Moore, Bobby Porcelli, Richard Wyands, Peter Washington, and Kenny Washington, produced by Don Sickler 
• November 16, 2000, 7 PM - Newark, NJ
  Presentation on Gryce by Cohen and Fitzgerald at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies jazz research roundtable 
• February 18, 2001, 2 PM - Pensacola, FL
  Lecture and musical performance honoring Gigi Gryce at Pensacola Public Library 
• April 17, 2001 - Newark, NJ
  Gigi Gryce book project awarded grant by Morroe Berger-Benny Carter Research Fund at Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies 
• November 19, 2001 - Pensacola, FL
  Musical tribute to Gryce by Jazz Society of Pensacola 
• November 24, 2001, 8 PM - Boston, MA
  Five hour radio profile of Gryce by Steve Schwartz www.wgbh.org  
• February 1-16, 2002 - Netherlands & Germany
  Herb Geller, John Marshall, and Rein De Graaff trio "Blue Concept" tour performing the music of Gigi Gryce (8 cities: Groningen, Utrecht, Voorburg, Heemstede, Enschede, Amsterdam, Leer, Hoorn) 
• March 25, 2002 - Berkeley Hills, CA
  Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce published by Berkeley Hills Books 
• April 3, 2002 - Brooklyn, NY
  Gigi Gryce inducted into the Central Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame 
• May 8, 2002, 7 PM - Montclair, NJ
  Presentation and booksigning at Watchung Booksellers 
• May 24, 2002, 11 AM - Amherst, MA
  Gryce feature including radio interview of Cohen and Fitzgerald by WS Tkweme www.wmua.org  
• May-August 2002
  Book reviews appear in JazzUK, Coda Magazine, Jazz Steps Newspaper, The Montclair Times, All About Jazz Newspaper, Jazzwise, Cadence Magazine, and online at Jazz Weekly and LA Weekly. The book is added to libraries including University of Colorado, University of Maryland, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Western Ontario, Western Michigan University. 
• August 11, 2002, 12 noon - Murfreesboro, TN
  Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society radio program "Jazz on the Side" featuring music of Gigi Gryce www.wmot.org  
• August 20, 2002
  Gigi Gryce-Donald Byrd Jazz Lab/Cecil Taylor Quartet At Newport issued on U.S. compact disc for the first time by Verve  
• August 25, 2002, 7 PM - Rochester, NY
  Tom Hampson presents Gryce radio feature on "Mostly Jazz" www.wxxi.org  
• August 29, 2002, 5 PM - Rochester, NY
  Radio interview of Cohen and Fitzgerald by Jason Crane www.wgmc.org  
• August 30, 2002, 6 AM - Rochester, NY
  Television interview of Cohen and Fitzgerald by Gabe Dalmath on NBC affiliate www.whec.com  
• August 30, 2002, 7 PM - Rochester, NY
  Presentation, booksigning, and concert at Barnes & Noble, featuring the Red Wierenga Unit (coverage by FOX television) 
• September 2002
  Features and reviews appear in Small Press Book Review, G21.net. Book added to more libraries including Bloomsburg University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Indiana University, Oberlin College, Ohio State University, Princeton University, U.S. Library of Congress, University of Arizona, University of North Texas, Washington University, Yale University. 
• September 14, 2002, 5 PM - New York City (and elsewhere)
  Radio interview of Fitzgerald by Karla Davis on NPR's "All Things Considered" www.npr.org  
• September 30, 2002, 9 PM - Vancouver, BC
  Three hour radio profile of Gryce by Gavin Walker www.ams.ubc.ca/citr/  
• October 2002
  Features and reviews appear in Jazzman, Jazz Magazine, and Jazz Research News. The book's circulation continues to grow, appearing in numerous libraries (in more than half of the United States): Arizona State University, Bellvue Regional Library (WA), California State University-Fresno, Carnegie Library (Pittsburgh, PA), Colorado State University, Danbury Public Library (CT), Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Fordham University, George Mason University, Hampton University, James V. Brown Library (Williamsport, PA), Los Angeles Public Library, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Multnomah County Library (OR), New York Public Library, North Carolina A&T State University, Rowan University, Sammamish Library (WA), Sarah Lawrence College, Seattle Public Library, Southern Utah University, Temple University, University of Alabama, University of California-Davis, University of Denver, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Mississippi, University of Northern Florida, University of Texas-Austin, University of Washington, Wayne State University, Weber State University, Wichita State University. 
• October 12, 2002 - Paris, France
  Concert of Gigi Gryce music at Studio Charles Trenet www.radio-france.fr/chaines/france-musiques/vif/  
• October 2002 - Paris, France
  Series of radio broadcasts by writer Alain Gerber featuring music of Gigi Gryce, approximately 24 hours in total. 
• November 3, 2002, 7:30 & 9:00 PM - New York City
  Presentation, booksigning, and concert at Smalls, featuring Chris Byars and guests. Family of Gigi Gryce, Art Farmer, and Jerome Richardson in attendance. 
• November 8, 2002, 6 PM - Pensacola, FL
  Jazz Society of Pensacola presentation and booksigning at Barnes & Noble. Harold Andrews, Thomas James, and Aaron Long in attendance. 
• November 15, 2002, 4 PM - Washington, DC
  Willard Jenkins presents two-hour radio feature on Gryce with contributions by Benny Golson and Randy Weston www.wpfw.org  
• November 2002
  More libraries: Chicago State University, Rutgers University - Newark, Syracuse University, Virginia State University 
• December 2002
  Reviews in IAJRC Journal, Signal To Noise. More libraries: Earlham College, Lebanon Valley College, University of California - Los Angeles, University of the District of Columbia - Van Ness, Wilkes University 
• December 22, 2002, 10:00 & 11:30 PM - New York City
  Again at Smalls, the Chris Byars Octet revisits Gryce arrangements from the November 3 performance (and other material). 
• January-February 2003
  Review in Jazz Journal International. More libraries: Akron Summit County Public Library, Centre College of Kentucky, College of Saint Benedict, Michigan State University, Morehead State University, Phoenix Public Library, Springfield College (MA), SUNY-Buffalo, Tufts University, University of the Arts, University of Maryland - Baltimore County, Williams College. 
• January 23, 2003, 2 PM - New York City
  Cohen and others, including trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah, appear on radio show "Perspective with Louis Reyes Rivera" www.wbai.org  
• January 25, 2003, 10 AM - Brooklyn, NY
  Cohen and Fitzgerald discuss Rat Race Blues at a meeting of the Walt Whitman Library book club, Eleanor Gryce in attendance. 
• February 2, 2003, 11 PM - Newark, NJ
  Cohen and Fitzgerald participate in one-hour Gryce radio feature on "Jazz from the Archives" hosted by Tad Hershorn www.wbgo.org  
• February 5, 2003, 1 PM - Newark, NJ
  Cohen and Fitzgerald participate as guest lecturers in Evan Spring's "Research Methods" class, part of the Rutgers University master's degree program in Jazz History and Research. 
• February 8, 2003, 3 PM - Brooklyn, NY
  Tribute to Gigi Gryce and Randy Weston presented by the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium at Concord Baptist Church, Eleanor Gryce receives awards and proclamations in recognition of Gigi Gryce. Cohen and Fitzgerald interviewed by Ahmed Abdullah. Randy Weston interviewed by Willard Jenkins about his relationship with Gryce. Performances of Gryce's and Weston's music by various groups of professionals and students. 
• March-April 2003
  Review in Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Notes. More libraries: Allen County Public Library (IN), Amherst College, Atlanta University, Buffalo & Erie County Library, Cleveland Public Library, Columbia College - Chicago, George Washington University, Houston Public Library, Jacksonville University, Kenyon College, LaGrange University, Longwood University, Middlebury College, Mount Holyoke College, Northeastern Illinois University, Radford University, Richmond Public Library, Simpson College, St. Lawrence University, St. Louis University - Pius XII Library, Tacoma Public Library, University of California - Berkeley, University of Houston, University of Houston - Downtown, University of New Hampshire, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, University of Wisconsin-Madison. 
• March 9, 2003, 10:00 & 11:30 PM - New York City
  Again at Smalls, the Chris Byars Octet (including vocalist Sasha Dobson) revisits Gryce arrangements from the November 3 performance (and other material). 
• March 12, 2003 - Bloomington, IN
  Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce named as a finalist for an annual Award for Excellence by the Association for Recorded Sound Collections  
• March 24 & 25, 2003, 3:30 PM - Bloomington, IN
  Two-part Gryce feature including radio interview of Fitzgerald by David Johnson www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/  
• April 6, 2003, 3 PM - Montclair, NJ
  Reading by Cohen sponsored by Montclair Public Library 
• April 18, 2003, 5 PM - Washington, DC
  Radio interview of Cohen and Fitzgerald by Willard Jenkins www.wpfw.org  
• April 18, 2003, 7 PM - Washington, DC
  Live interview of Cohen and Fitzgerald by Larry Appelbaum, booksigning, and concert at Borders Books & Music, featuring the Frankie Addison quartet 
• May-June 2003
  Reviews in Victoria Times Columnist, ARSC Journal. More libraries: Bates College, Berkeley Public Library (CA), Berklee College of Music, Bowling Green State University, Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing (MA), Carthage College, Chicago Public Library, Free Library of Philadelphia, Georgia State University, LaGuardia Community College, Lakeland Library Coop (IN), Miami University (OH), Prairie View A&M University, Quincy University, Richland County Public Library (SC), St. Olaf College, Southern Connecticut State University, SUNY-Fredonia, Truman State University, University of Maine - Augusta 
• May 31, 2003 - University of Pennsylvania Library, Philadelphia, PA
  Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce named as winner for 2003 Award for Excellence (best discography - recorded jazz music) by the Association for Recorded Sound Collections  
• June 13, 2003 - Highland Park, NJ
  Chris Byars Octet performs concert of all Gryce music for local students 
• June 20, 2003, 9:30 PM - New York City
  Chris Byars Octet plus vocalist Sasha Dobson present a tribute to Gryce at Swing 46  
• July-September 2003
  More libraries: American University, Bowdoin College, Eastman School of Music, Emory University, Lafayette College, Moravian College, Mount Saint Mary College, Nova Southeastern University, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, Tulane University, University of Chicago, University of North Carolina - Greensboro, University of Utah, U.S. Air Force Academy, West Florida Regional Library System, West Virginia University 
• September 2003
  Review in Down Beat 
• November 1, 2003, 9:30 PM - New York City
  Chris Byars Octet presents twelve arrangements of Gryce tunes at Swing 46  
• November 16, 2003, 2 PM - New York City
  Cohen and Fitzgerald participate in five hour radio profile of Gryce hosted by Sid Gribetz www.wkcr.org  
• January 2004
  Review in Jazz Improv 
• October 2003-February 2004
  More libraries: Brown University, California State University - Long Beach, Central Michigan University, Davidson College, Dayton Metropolitan Library (OH), East Carolina University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McMurry University, New York Public Library Branch System, Northwest Missouri State University, SAILS Library Network - Hanson Public Library (MA), University of Evansville, Weber County Library (UT), Western Carolina University, Western Kentucky University
• March 2004
  More libraries: Gordon College, Long Island University, Washington College
• April 9, 2004, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
  Gryce inducted into the New England Jazz Hall of Fame. www.nejazz.org  
• July 2004
  More libraries: Cedar Crest College, Central Baptist College, Hamilton College, New York University, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
• November 2004
  Review in Annual Review of Jazz Studies
• January 2005
  More libraries: Connecticut College, Grand Val State University, University of Miami
• February 11 & 18, 2006, 11:05 PM - Bloomington, IN (WFIU) and 10:00 PM - Evansville, IN (WNIN)
  Two-part Gryce feature including radio interview of Fitzgerald by David Johnson to be archived at http://www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/nl_archives.htm
• October 19, 2007 - Jacksonville, FL
  "Researching the Rat Race: Gigi Gryce and Jazz Biography" presentation delivered by Fitzgerald at Southeast Music Library Association annual conference.

Published Reviews and Features 

• The Montclair Times (May 9, 2002) 
• Jazz Steps Newspaper [Seattle] (July 2002) 
• JazzUK [UK] (July/August 2002) 
• Coda Magazine [Canada] (July/August 2002) 
• All About Jazz/New York (August 2002) 
• Jazzwise (August 2002) 
• Cadence Magazine (August 2002) 
• Jazz Weekly (August 2002) 
• City Newspaper [Rochester] (August 28, 2002) 
• Small Press Book Review (September 2002) 
• Jazzman [France] (October 2002) 
• Jazz Magazine [France] (October 2002) 
• Pensacola News Journal (November 8, 2002) 
• Choice Reviews (December 2002) 
• IAJRC Journal (Fall 2002) 
• Signal to Noise (Winter 2003) 
• Jazz Journal International (January 2003) 
• Jazz Research News [Austria] (March 2003) 
• Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Notes (Winter 2003) 
• ARSC Journal (Spring 2003) 
• Victoria Times Columnist [Canada] (June 8, 2003) 
• Down Beat (September 2003) 
• Jazz Improv (Winter 2004) 
• Swing 'n News 
• Annual Review of Jazz Studies 12

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