Here at Better World Books we reach our do-gooder tentacles to many different realms, but now we’ve cracked a new one: publisher.
If you’re looking for an objective review of our first book: Jazzocracy, head over to All About Jazz. Also, in addition to our normal level of giving, proceeds from this book will help benefit the New Orleans Public Library rebuild and Music for Tomorrow!
An excerpt from the review:
How Will Two of American’s Quintessential Icons Foretell the Future?
Presenting Jazzocracy: Jazz, Democracy, and the Creation of a New American Mythology by Kabir Sehgal (Better World Books)
If one wonders how two of the most quintessential American icons relate to each another, consider this thought by one of New Orleans’ favorite sons: “Jazz is democracy in action,” said Wynton Marsalis.
Ever more so in New Orleans, where the birth of jazz reflected the ease of a mix of many cultures: Caribbean, European, African, among many others. The intent of these cultures to express their ideas to one another via music, civic discourse, festivals, and of course, books, is one of America’s most vivid successes.
With its commitment to the promoting literacy worldwide, Better World Books is pleased to return to the New Orleans Public Library for the premiere of the very first book of its new publishing imprint.
On April 17, Better World Books will bring Jazzocracy: Jazz, Democracy, and the Creation of a New American Mythology to New Orleans. Written by Kabir Sehgal, an exciting new author who began the book under study with Douglas Brinkley at Tulane University, Jazzocracy argues the evolution of jazz and democracy is forming our next set of mythologies to govern culture, politics and economics.
For any other writer under the age of 30, these might be dusty topics. But new author Kabir Sehgal magnetizes the two using his personal experience as a jazz musician, political campaign consultant, economist and writer. A graduate of the London School of Economics and Dartmouth College, Sehgal is also a professional jazz bassist, and has played with the Wynton Marsalis Orchestra. He has also worked with the presidential campaign of Sen John Kerry, as well as in the offices of Senators Max Cleland and John Rockefeller, IV. He is an economist with JPMorgan in San Francisco. Jazzocracy is his first book.