A beautiful book that just needs an index because it has so much great content that students could use for research on African American musicians. The chapters are fairly specific, but some people are mentioned throughout. Black and white, the photographs are stunning and evocative, expressive of the eras in which they were taken. Names that are not in any students' history book are portrayed here and deserve sharing with the world. Valaida Snow, a photo in 1939 (p. 209)-- an international trumpet and singing star. Played Central Avenue venues and the lucrative theatre circuit. Appreciated more in Europe. A pardon by John F. Kennedy for Hampton Hawes to be released from prison early (the first pardon ever for a Black Jazz Musician, p. 207).