Jazz: America's Gift: From Its Birth to George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue & Beyond is the perfect marriage between Miguel Covarrubias's artwork and the colorful history of the Jazz Age. The interplay of Gerber's words and Covarrubias's images gives each page a rhythm all its own. . . . Who could ask for anything more?

"[Gerber] unearths some interesting facts, such as shared cultural experiences of African-Americans and Jews: he notes that African-American singers such as Billie Holliday and Alberta Hunter recorded Jewish songs, and that Louis Armstrong so admired Jewish people that he wore a Star of David around his neck."—Kirkus Reviews (recommended review)

"[Gerber] makes a strong, enthusiastic case for Gershwin’s contributions to jazz, something that many jazz historians, according to the author, don’t often acknowledge ("As far as George Gershwin goes—jazz can’t live with him and jazz can’t live without him!")."—Kirkus Reviews (recommended review)

Author Richie Gerber, a jazz musician and concert producer, has played straight-ahead jazz, bebop, and swing with jazz greats like Eddie Higgins, former Count Basie alumnus Pete Minger, and five-time Grammy nominee Ira Sullivan and Buddy DeFranco. Read more

". . . Covarrubias’ vibrant illustrations really enhance the text."—Kirkus Reviews (recommended review)

Artist and legendary illustrator Miguel Covarrubias can arguably be called the chronicler of "The Jazz Age." By 23 he was the toast of NYC. As a caricaturist, he had a special talent for penetrating and capturing the essence of a celebrity, earning him the nickname of "The Murderer." Read more