Paul de Barros
In a world dominated by men, Marian McPartland distinguished herself as one of theÂ greatest jazz pianists of her ageÂ ,Born in the UK as Margaret Marian Turner, Marian McPartlandÂ learned to playÂ classical piano, butÂ was passionately attracted to the rhythms of American jazz.Â Entertaining troops inÂ WWII Europe,Â she met herÂ future husband, Jimmy McPartland,Â a cocky young trumpet playerÂ who was the protege of the great Bix Beiderbecke.Â TheyÂ were married and, together, they made jazz history.Â At first,Â Marian played second fiddle to Jimmy in Chicago, but when they moved to New York,Â Marian and her trioÂ took up residence at theÂ famous Hickory House where sheÂ thrilled the crowds from her perch on a stage in the middle ofÂ large oval bar.Â From there she went on to triumphs at places like the Montreaux Jazz Festival.Â  Possibly,Â her greatest accomplishmentÂ was the creation ofÂ NPR's long-runningÂ show ,Piano Jazz,.,Â ,More thanÂ the life story of one of our greatest artists, ,Shall We Play That One Together?Â ,chronicles anÂ age when jazz was a vital art form.Â Just as inviting as Marian's signature question on ,Piano Jazz,, ,Shall We Play That One Together?, is an invitation to readers everywhere to listen to the score of a bygone age.
Music,Biography,Music,Jazz
Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland