The development of jazz and swing in the African-American community in Los Angeles in the years before the second World War received a boost from the arrival of a significant numbers of musicians from Chicago and the southwestern states. In Swingin’ on Central: African-American Jazz in Los Angeles, a new study of that vibrant jazz community, music historian and jazz journalist Peter Vacher traveled between Los Angeles and London over several years in order to track down key figures and interview them for this oral history of one of the most swinging jazz scenes in the United States. Vacher recreates the energy and vibrancy of the Central Avenue scene through first-hand accounts from such West Coast notables as trumpeters Andy Blakeney , George Orendorff, and McLure “Red Mack” Morris; pianists Betty Hall Jones, Chester Lane, and Gideon Honore, saxophonists Chuck Thomas, Jack McVea, and Caughey Roberts Jr; drummers Jesse Sailes, Red Minor Robinson, and Nathaniel “Monk” McFay; and others. Throughout, readers learn the story behind the formative years of these musicians, most of whom have never been interviewed until now. While not exactly headliners—nor heavily recorded—this community of jazz musicians was among the most talented in pre-war America. Arriving in Los Angeles at a time when black Americans faced restrictions on where they could live and work, jazz artists of color commonly found themselves limited to the Central Avenue area. This scene, supplemented by road travel, constituted their daily bread as players—with none of them making it to New York. Through their own words, Vacher tells their story in Los Angeles, offering along the way a close look at the role the black musicians union played in their lives while also taking on jazz historiography’s comparative neglect of these West Coast players. Music historians with a particular interest in pre-bop jazz in California will find much new material here as Vacher paints a world of luxurious white nightclubs with black bands, ghetto clubs and after-hours joints, a world within a world that resulted from the migration of black musicians to the West Coast.

Swingin' on Central Avenue: African American Jazz in Los Angeles

Arts & Photography

Vacher, Peter

Music

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

The American jazz musicians who crossed racial and class divisions to tour and record with the great jazz stars all have their stories to tell. Peter Vacher's talent lies in being able to capture their authentic voices, from survivors of the big bands of the 1930's and 40's to modern soloists in many styles. The author is well known for his interviews in British, Canadian and American magazines. This book vividly evokes the backgrounds, life stories and musical styles of many remarkable musicians who played with stars like Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and Dizzy Gillespie and helped make the music of such famous orchestras as those of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bob Crosby, Cab Calloway and Lionel Hampton. The musicians include Milt Buckner, Cozy Cole, Sonny Cohn, Willie Cook, Cousin Joe, Kenny Davern, Harry Edison, Teddy Edwards, Art Farmer, Scott Hamilton, John Hicks, Illinois Jacquet, Hank Jones, Herbie Jones, Junior Mance, Eddie Miller, Harold Minerve, Grover Mitchell, Vi Redd, Warren Vache, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Benny Waters and Britt Woodman. The book is lavishly illustrated and includes many rare or previously unpublished photos.

Soloists and Sidemen: American Jazz Stories

History

Northway Pubns

Through their own words, Vacher tells their story in Los Angeles, offering along the way a close look at the role the black musicians union played in their lives while also taking on jazz historiography’s comparative neglect of these West Coast players.

One of Peter Vacher's great passions in life is restoring Rolls-Royce motor cars. In March 1982 he was travelling in India on research when quite by chance in the grounds of a northern university he stumbled on the rusting remnants of an aircraft. It was a British plane, but unrecognizable. Peter was intrigued. Initially thinking it was a Spitfire, he managed to get the serial number from which he obtained confirmation that it was in fact a Mark I Hurricane, R4118, which had flown in the Battle of Britain! For years he did nothing but the fantastic idea of bringing it back to England and seeing it fly again stayed at the back of his mind. In 1996 he decided to act and made an offer to buy the remains. In 1997 the offer was accepted. There then followed six years of wrangling, committees, red tape, Indian Air Force involvement, and much patient lobbying before in 2002 Peter was given 24 hours to remove the plane. Then the truly difficult process began of restoration - a worldwide search for parts, careful reconstruction, flight testing, and finally, finally airborne again. This is truly an amazing story, a dream come true, documented in words and pictures as it happened.

Hurricane R4118: The Great Battle of Britain Survivor

Europe

Grub Street Publishing

In 1982 when he was traveling in India, Peter Vacher stumbled on the remains of a British plane - a Hurricane Mark 1, a veteran of the Battle of Britain. It was in a dreadful state. Could he restore it? Would it fly again? Not until 14 years later did he decide to act and after six years of wrangling he got the icon home. Then the truly difficult process of restoration began - a worldwide search for parts, careful reconstruction, flight testing - until in 2005 it flew again to the delight of thousands of enthusiasts. Along the way Peter reunited three auspicious veterans - Peter Thompson, Bunny Currant and Bob Foster - with R4118, men who had flown her during the war. To this day, the aircraft’s grace and splendor in flight is enjoyed by crowds across the UK.

Hurricane R4118: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration of a Battle of Britain Survivor

Military

Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history. In Hurricane R4118 Revisited, more stories of R4118’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron’s ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, whilst Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane. The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.See:

Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Vacher, Peter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Vacher, Peter

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Vacher, Peter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Swingin' on Central Avenue: African American Jazz in Los Angeles

Soloists and Sidemen: American Jazz Stories

Swingin' on Central Avenue: African American Jazz in Los Angeles

Hurricane R4118: The Great Battle of Britain Survivor

Hurricane R4118: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration of a Battle of Britain Survivor

Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017