Like John Coltrane, James L. Dean got some of his first experience

New JerseyJazzSocietyMILT HINTON BOOKcontinued from page 43in studio work. During this period, Hintonfinally was able to obtain some real financialsecurity. He worked in a variety of situations,and the resulting stories that comefrom his experiences are fun to read.Once the studio work fell off, Hinton gotback to his real love — playing jazz. Hintonwas a frequent participant at jazz festivals,parties and cruises, often involving travel tooverseas destinations. He details interestingstories relating to his trips to Russia. Heperformed extensively at the popular NewYork City club Michael’s Pub. There werecountless jazz recording sessions, severalunder Hinton’s leadership.What comes through in this book moststrongly is Hinton’s love of life, and thepositive outlook that enabled him tosucceed far beyond anything that he couldhave imagined in his earliest years. He writesglowingly of the strength and beauty of hissecond wife, Mona, who provided him withlove, support and the assets of her greatintelligence and practical nature.His many musical relationships are alsoexplored in depth, particularly his superbword portraits of many of his fellowbassists. Jazz is chock full of unique andinteresting personalities, and Hintoncaptures many of them in this volume.The photographs that are a big part ofPlaying the Changes enhance the tale thatCommercial ServicesHinton tells. Most of the pictures includedare from the extensive library of photographstaken by Milt Hinton, and cataloged byHolly Maxson. Hinton was in a uniqueposition, having many opportunities tocapture intimate behind the scenes andcasual moments that were not available toprofessional photographers. In doing so, hewas able to add significantly to the field ofjazz photography. There are also manyphotos taken from his family archives, aswell as some taken of Hinton by others.David Berger, who enjoyed a 40-yearfriendship and professional partnershipwith Milt Hinton has been instrumentalin putting together all three volumescontaining Hinton’s words and photographs.Holly Maxson, an accomplishedphotographer, has been organizing theHinton photographic collection since 1979.Berger and Maxson co-direct the Milton J.Hinton Photographic Collection. They alsoproduced Keeping Time: The Life, Music andPhotographs of Milt Hinton, an awardwinningdocumentary.While this is alarge-sized book,a style usuallyreferred to as a“coffee table”book, it is not onethat should bepurchased solely forthe photographs.The text and thephotos are carefullyintegrated, and are of equal relevance. Thetext is highly readable and interesting. Thephotographs are equally engaging. Takentogether, they are an important addition tojazz literature. There is also a CD includedthat has oral versions by Hinton of severalhighlights from the book, and a few musicalselections as well.This book is essentially an updating of BassLine: The Stories and Photographs of MiltHinton, published in 1988 by TempleUniversity Press, and includes the superbPreface that Dan Morgenstern wrote forBass Line. Playing the Changes has manynew photographs, and has additional andrevised text that updates Hinton’s story tothe conclusion of his fabulous life onDecember 19, 2000. It will serve as avaluable companion to Bass Line for thosewho already have that book, and as awelcome newcomer to the library of alljazz enthusiasts.For more information, visitwww.milthinton.com.Shelly ProductionspresentsLive Jazz Saturday Nightsat 27 MixMAY 3All Star Jazz Quartetfeaturing Carrie JacksonJJMAY 10All Star Jazz Quartetfeaturing Carrie Jackson27 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102973-648-0643Entertainmentstarts 8:00 PMCall for ReservationsShelly Productions, Inc.P.O. Box 61, Elmwood Park, NJ • 201-796-9582May 2008___________________________________ 45