Paul Motian bio?

[Capt. W./TX.]

A year or two ago I read (or heard) that Paul Motian had completed an autobiography and was shopping it to publishers. It had the working title of "We Couldn't Find Philadelphia".

Since I live in Dallas (definitely removed from the NYC 'Jazz Beltway'), I thought maybe some regular JC posters who live back East might know something about it (Lois?....anybody?)

This is a bio that I wouldn't want to miss. I've long considered Motian an important-and underrated-figure in the history of the last half-decade of jazz, both as a percussionist and a bandleader. And he has written some extremely effective original pieces that are key to shaping the distinctive sound of his own groups.

Anybody see and hear him recently at the Vanguard with Joe Lovano & Frisell? I would have loved to have been there!.

Also: I was told about five or six weeks ago that a piece on Motian appeared in the New York Times. I have been unable to find or retrieve anything off the their website.

Regards to all!

[Chris A]

Paul, a neighbor of mine, brought me his autobiography ms to read, a few years back. It needed some work (embellishments, actually), but it was absorbing and generously sprinkled with great stories. I am surprised that a publisher hasn't grabbed it. I suspect that Paul hasn't really tried, for that is the only reason I can think of for it remaining in ms form.

If it's still gathering dust, perhaps I should contact Paul and see if there is anything I can do to get it out there.

[Capt. W./TX.]

Chris:

It would be terrific if you could persuade P.M. to do something with it.

Up till now, he might have been just busy enough gigging, recording and traveling that he couldn't find enough time to follow through.

Paul's stories about his years in the jazz biz-coming of age in the great mid-50's NYC scene, the years with Tony Scott, Bill Evans & Scott LaFaro, the 'Second Wave' of the Avant-Guard movement, his work with Keith Jarrett's, Charlie Haden's, Paul Bley's and his own groups-all deserve to be archived and and published.

Hopefully someone might hook him up with a literary agent-one with some experience working with music business book projects...

Thanks for your reply. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[Pete C]

Originally posted by Chris A
I am surprised that a publisher hasn't grabbed it.

Besides Da Capo how many presses are there that might do such a book? Motian is great, and seems really engaging (I had the pleasure of sharing a table with him at Birdland one night), and he must have plenty of great stories, but outside of the jazz faithful, who would know his name?

[Capt. W./TX.]

It's not unprecedented for book publishers to take on this kind of bio project.

Vehicule Press in Canada undertook the publishing of Paul Bley's bio (with David Lee) "Stopping Time" in 1999.

And Rutledge Hill Press in Nashville printed W.O. Smith's excellent bio "Sideman' in 1991, despite Smith's being virtually unknown to even the most avid jazz followers (myself included). Smith's claim to fame in jazz was being the in the band that recorded the classic Coleman Hawkins version of "Body And Soul" for RCA Victor in 1939; he spent most of his later life as a music educator at various colleges. Other than that, the main thing that book had going for it was a foreward by Dizzy Gillespie.

I suspect there might be two factors to consider here; one being that a well-connected agent (or other go-between) will be needed; the second being that any improvement in the general economic situation might
encourage a good mid-sized commercial publisher (or-maybe one connected with a major university) to undertake a bio like Motian's; art-for-art's-sake projects are an easier sell when the economy is perking along.

Finally, there's the possibility that some foundation somewhere could be persuaded to help things along.

In any case, it's not hard to make an argument for a Motian bio. His career-and his place in American music-speaks itself.

[jazzy mary]

Oh, I really hope this does find a publisher. You know Paul keeps a notebook in which he records the place, venue etc. of EVERY gig he's done. Amazing! I'll read this book in a second! Well, I mean I really want to read it. It'll probably take me longer than a second to read it.

[Pete C]

Originally posted by jazzy mary
Oh, I really hope this does find a publisher. You know Paul keeps a notebook in which he records the place, venue etc. of EVERY gig he's done. Amazing! I'll read this book in a second! Well, I mean I really want to read it. It'll probably take me longer than a second to read it.

Evelyn Wood read it in a second if she could.

[Tom Storer]

I have an intense sense of déjà vu. Didn't this thread have an earlier existence?

[mke]

Originally posted by Tom Storer
I have an intense sense of déjà vu. Didn't this thread have an earlier existence?
Yes, and Pete C brought up the same pessimistic remark.

[GA Russell]

Sign me up as a customer!

Thanks for the mention of the Paul Bley book too! I'd like to read that one as well.

[Pete C]

Originally posted by mke
Yes, and Pete C brought up the same pessimistic remark.

I didn't remember. I'd better write my own memoirs before I forget everything.

[jazzy mary]

Yes, it does seem we talked about this before but I don't remember where or when. Yes, I do it was here and not too long ago! I wouldn't characterize Pete's comment as pessimistic--just rational. He's right, of course, but frankly, it's the "jazz faithful" who buy these books. I read somewhere that these jazz books are only bought by jazz fans but that they buy *every* one!! Sounds about right to me!

[Uli]

Originally posted by Pete C
I'd better write my own memoirs before I forget everything.

my memories didn't go bad yet but they become increasingly selective.

[adh]

This is one book I'd take a day off to read(my speed reading is a little on the not so speedy side),truly a great.Anybody heard him on Bill McHenry's new one.The leader's written the tunes in the Motian style-nice record.How many other jazz autobiographies are out there unpublished gathering dust-now that would be something to do if my lottery numbers ever come up...