Gary Giddins

Gary Giddins is a prominent jazz critic, author, and journalist known for his extensive writing on jazz music and its artists. Here's a brief biography of Gary Giddins:

  • Birth: Gary Giddins was born on March 21, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

  • Education: He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

  • Career: Giddins is best known for his work as a jazz critic and writer. He has contributed articles, essays, and reviews to various publications, including The Village Voice, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Jazz Times, among others.

  • Books: Gary Giddins has authored several books on jazz, many of which have received critical acclaim. Some of his notable books include:

    1. "Rhythm-a-ning: Jazz Tradition and Innovation in the '80s" (1985)
    2. "Visions of Jazz: The First Century" (1998) - This book is a comprehensive overview of the history of jazz and its key figures.
    3. "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams - The Early Years, 1903-1940" (2001) - A biography of the famous crooner Bing Crosby.
    4. "Natural Selection: Gary Giddins on Comedy, Film, Music, and Books" (2006) - A collection of Giddins' writings on various topics, not limited to jazz.
    5. "Warning Shadows: Home Alone with Classic Cinema" (2010) - A collection of essays on classic cinema.

  • Awards and Recognition: Gary Giddins has received numerous awards for his contributions to jazz criticism and writing. He won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1988 for his book "Rhythm-a-ning," and he has received the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award multiple times.

  • Influence: Giddins is highly regarded in the world of jazz criticism for his deep knowledge of the genre, his eloquent writing style, and his ability to convey the cultural and historical context of jazz music. He has played a significant role in promoting jazz as an art form and preserving its history through his writings.

Gary Giddins' work has had a lasting impact on the understanding and appreciation of jazz, and he continues to be an influential voice in the field of music criticism.