Fellow jazz artists will recognize themselves on every page, while newcomers will find it the perfect comic introduction to the jazz world.
What happens when a jazz pianist spends his career bouncing between high-profile concert halls, hellish wedding gigs, major festivals, cruise ship disasters, recording dates, and insane jam sessions? Bill Anschell turns it all into comic gold. His debut book, Benched, released on November 25th, offers satirical stories that pull back the curtain on the absurd realities of jazz life.Drawing on four decades as a working musician, Anschell finds humor in the venues, audiences, industry, and artists that make up jazz's singular universe. Fellow jazz artists will recognize themselves on every page, while newcomers will find it the perfect comic introduction to the jazz world.
Benched features eight original short stories—all inspired by actual events—interspersed with highlights from Anschell's previously anonymous jazz advice column,Mr. P.C.'s Guide to Jazz Etiquette and Bandstand Decorum, now in its 16th year on AllAboutJazz.com. The stories are revised, updated, and expanded from previously published versions. The collection includes:
- “Careers in Jazz”—featured in a Wall Street Journal article on the disappearing jazz audience;
- “Jazz Jam Sessions: A First-Timer's Guide”— Anschell’s first viral story, taking readers behind the scenes and inside musicians’ minds at a “friendly” jam session;
- “There's a Sucker Born Every Minute”—a vivid look at a death-defying cruise ship gig;
- “The Weakened Worriers”—a behind-the-scenes exposé of a wedding gig from hell that took a homicidal turn.
About the author
Pianist/composer Bill Anschell has performed at major festivals and concert venues across the U.S., Europe, and South America, and released numerous critically acclaimed recordings. Between tours, he’s accompanied a faith healer, a dancing potato chip, and a hand-fart artist; he’s also made special appearances in a Kroger checkout lane and a dog cone. Anschell's jazz stories have received hundreds of thousands of reads and been translated into multiple languages.Availability
Benched(166 pages, $15.99 paperback/$7.99 epub) will be available through Amazon and other major retailers. For review copies and/or additional information, please contact the author.Contact
Bill Anschell[email protected]
