Oxford University Press is saddened to report the passing of noted jazz scholar Lawrence Gushee on 6 January 2015. A Professor of Music at the University of Illinois for over 20 years, he held the title of Emeritus Professor of Music at Illinois since 1997. Originally specializing in medieval music, Dr. Gushee turned much of his attention to jazz during his time at Illinois, writing frequently on the history of black American jazz musicians. A prodigious researcher and eloquent writer, his contributions to research on the origins of jazz and its early period simply cannot be overstated. In particular, his 2005 book Pioneers of Jazz, which Oxford is incredibly proud to have published, was a landmark work in jazz history. Bringing to light the hitherto untold story of the early New Orleans jazz band the Creole Band, Gushee revealed how this almost entirely overlooked group played a pioneering role in introducing jazz to America, and bringing about the jazz phenomenon that swept the nation during the 1920s. While he will surely be missed by the jazz community, his contributions to the telling of its history will continue to be of immeasurable value to scholars, students, and fans of the music for generations to come. On behalf of OUP, I offer our deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time.
The post In memoriam: Lawrence Gushee appeared first on OUPblog.
* Clint over at the Dadventure blog briefly reflects on reading with his children, and begins with this great, wise quote from Jim Trelease:
Fathers should make an extra effort to read to their children. Because the vast majority of primary-school teachers are women, young boys often associate reading with women and schoolwork. And just as unfortunate, too many fathers would rather be seen playing catch in the driveway with their sons than taking them to the library.
* In this piece by Maureen Downey, writing for the AJC Get Schooled Blog, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan points out that less than 2 percent of the nation’s teachers are black males:
Says Duncan, “We need more men of color in our schools, especially at the elementary schools.” He also advocates for more mentor-based programs in schools.
* Men Encourage Boys to Read: The Men Read Program is a volunteer program designed to help reluctant boy readers by using male role models from the community. Writes Sarah Stegall:
At Crystal Lake Elementary, eight men — seven from a local Army recruitment office — read to more than 50 students, said Crystal Lake’s media specialist, Lindsay Persohn.
Persohn said a lot of boys aren’t used to seeing men read at home.
“The idea for a grown man to not only read himself, but read with them was a whole new idea for some of those kids,” she said.
RICK RUNION/THE LEDGER
* Sherrill Nixon asks the question: Is any reading good reading?
* At Dance With Strangers/Parenthood Explained, Adam Cohen, a father of three boys, writes beautifully about their shared reading adventure, especially as it concerns finishing the 7th and final book in the Harry Potter series.
Here next to me is a boy who on Halloween said to me, “Dad, when I wear this costume I really feel like I AM Harry Potter,” before running off into the woods with his wand high and robes trailing. For all th
