deko

[Portrait of Mezz Mezzrow in his office, New York, N.Y., ca. Nov. 1946] (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• Kilted Cowboy said:

  interesting: Although he was a decent clarinetist and saxophonist, Mezz Mezzrow is remembered today primarily for his autobiography "Really the Blues", and for rejecting White society and embracing African-American culture, to the extent that he actually believed that he was Black www.redhotjazz.com/mezz.html

• NoVaBeth said:

  Yes, that book is a wonderful read! Mezz was the only guy who ever tried to "pass" for black.

• sirk7475 said:

  "Mezz was the only guy who ever tried to "pass" for black." What a dumb thing to say. Anyways. Mezz's records with Bechet are actually amazing. He's the perfect foil for the powerful Bechet.

• NoVaBeth said:

  Have you ever read "Really the Blues?" You'd know what we mean.

• otis henry fijord (all or most ~ said:

  ... now now folks - it was, as i recall, the mez, who aside from harry (the hipster) gibson who "gauged the age, so to speak.