This year has seen a notable surge in music-related literature, particularly from Chicago-based authors and presses, offering a diverse selection that ranges from visual anthologies to biographies and fiction.
One standout release is “Jazz: Best of the Apollo, Village Vanguard, and Riverside Sessions” (ACC Art Books), which showcases the early 1960s jazz photography of the late Chicago photographer Steve Schapiro. Known primarily for his civil rights coverage, Schapiro’s images capture legendary performances by Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Elvin Jones, and Bill Evans during his formative years in New York. The volume, completed posthumously by Schapiro’s family, includes commentary by jazz journalist Richard Scheinin and forewords from Sonny Rollins and Kurt Elling.
Exploring gospel music history, “Can I Get a Witness!: Faith, Family, and Chicago Gospel Music” (University of Chicago Press) highlights the contributions of the Gay Sisters—Evelyn, Geraldine, and Mildred—who performed and recorded over three decades without achieving the recognition of contemporaries such as Mahalia Jackson. The book draws on the memories of their brother, pastor and musician Gregory Donald Gay, as told to record executive Steven B. Dolins. Notably, Sonny Rollins contributed a foreword, acknowledging the Gays’ role in his recovery from addiction in the 1950s.
“Passing the Baton: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Music Directors Who Shaped Its Greatness” (University of Chicago Press) offers a focused history of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through the lens of its conductors. Written by longtime program annotator Phillip Huscher, the book presents candid insights, including Riccardo Muti’s critical take on his successor Klaus Mäkelä and the revelation that Orchestra Hall has historically struggled with acoustics, a fact unknown to its founding director Theodore Thomas.
In a broader European context, “Music and Architecture in Harmony: Opera Houses and Concert Halls of Europe, 1672—2022” (Oro Editions) co-authored by architect Michael Webb and former music journalist turned politician Thomas Aujero Small, examines 90 performance venues across Europe. It discusses their architectural features, acoustic qualities, and historical significance, with contributions from Renzo Piano and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Chicago jazz’s influence is further explored in “The Majesty of Chicago Jazz: Twenty-Five Visionaries Who Define the City’s Sound” (University of Chicago Press) by former Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich. Spanning three decades of coverage, the anthology profiles marquee figures like Louis Armstrong and Dee Alexander alongside lesser-known talents such as pianist Dorothy Donegan.
Visual documentation of Chicago’s music scene appears in “Chicago Music, Seen: 100 Portraits” (University of Illinois Press) by Jim Newberry. Drawing on decades of photography, the book features artists ranging from Mavis Staples and house pioneer Frankie Knuckles to Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and blues legend Buddy Guy. The portraits are complemented by personal commentary from the subjects.
On the classical music front, “Madame Composer: The Virtuosic Genius of Clara Schumann” (Pegasus Books) by historian Sarah Fritz reexamines the legacy of Clara Schumann. Often overshadowed by her husband Robert Schumann and close associate Johannes Brahms, Clara is recognized here as a pioneering 19th-century composer and pianist.
Finally, “Want List” (Soberscove Press/Pre-Echo Press), arriving Nov. 20, marks a literary debut by Chicago music figure John Corbett. This novel combines elements of a whodunnit with an affectionate yet satirical take on music obsession, centered around the search for a stolen Don Cherry trio acetate. Corbett is slated to present a live performance of selections from the novel at his West Loop gallery on Dec. 12, featuring prominent local improvisers.
Together, these publications highlight the depth and variety of Chicago’s musical heritage, reflecting both its storied past and ongoing creative energy.