LAUGHTER FROM THE HIP

New York: Horizon Press, 1963. First edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. 175 p. Drawings by A. Birnbaum. Lively and irreverent collection of deftly-rendered anecdotes concerning such jazz greats as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner, Eddie Condon, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington. Perhaps the most widely read and influential writer on jazz, Leonard Feather (1914-94) wrote the album notes for literally thousands of LPs, while also serving as a jazz reviewer for the Los Angeles Times and a regular contributor to Metronome, Esquire, Down Beat, Playboy, Jazz Times, and other periodicals. Presentation copy, inscribed and (truncated) dated in the year of publication by Feather to legendary jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, arranger, composer, and bandleader Benny Carter (1907-2003) on the front flyleaf. Before moving to the U.S. in the mid-1930s, the British-born Feather produced recordings and wrote compositions for Carter in London. The two remained life-long friends and frequent collaborators. Octavo. Original brown paper-covered boards over a yellow cloth spine, with blue titles. Internally crisp and clean. The dust jacket is somewhat rubbed, with a two-inch closed tear to the front panel; else very good. Inscribed by Author. (Inventory #: 62385)