Speakeasies to Symphonies

James P. Johnson (1894-1955) is one of the most important figures in twentieth-century American music. However few people other than scholars and serious fans know of his life and work. Rare jazz aficionados know him as the Father of Harlem Stride piano but his other monumental contributions to American music are seldom acknowledged. <i>Speakeasies to Symphonies: The Jazz Genius of James P. Johnson</i> seeks to rectify this. <p/> Johnson born in New Jersey absorbed many musical elements in his youth especially the African American culture of the Southeastern Seaboard to create a new musical and rhythmic force for jazz musical theater and symphonic music. Johnson's career stretched from the early 1910s to the early 1950s. His heyday was the 1920s--the decade known for the Jazz Age the Harlem Renaissance rent parties classic blues singers the first golden age of Broadway and the Great American Songbook and perhaps most notably the worldwide music and dance phenomenon the Charleston. Johnson not only composed the signature tune that has come to define the decade but was a critical part of the other seminal cornerstones of American music. <p/> <i>Speakeasies to Symphonies </i>presents a detailed portrait of Johnson's life music teachers associates protégés and activity right up to his death. Scott E. Brown explores primary sources previously unavailable including Johnson's personal papers to fill in many gaps and answer lingering questions in his biography painting a complete picture of his essential legacy.