Mitchell & Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz

This book is a masterpiece. Zinnser delivers what is perhaps the archetypical story of the development of serious American artists. Zinnser is one of the most talented and overlooked writers, and he tells the story of Mitchell and Ruff with humor, clarity, and intelligence. If most books about jazz and jazz musicians were this good, we'd have a whole subset of profound literature based on the music, but unfortunately, Zinnser's book is a rare gem. Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff couldn't have hoped for a better writer, nor Zinnser for a better subject.

I am a big fan of Zinsser and the child of a big band sax man so had to read Willie and Dwike. Willie and Dwike (the earlier, out -of -print edition of this book) is the life stories of two amazing and brilliant musicians and the author who shadows them as they travel to foreign countries and small towns across the U.S. Throughout, Zinsser conveys the great minds, quiet dignity and incredible musicianship of these men so dedicated to their art - the art of jazz. It is a delightful read! A must read if you love jazz and good writing.

Get this book! Zinsser is a fabulous writer. You will be moved and enthralled by the story of these gifted and dedicated men. The author's description of Ruff explaining the concept of musical improvisation to a Chinese audience is unforgetable.I think this is a re-issue of Willie & Dwyke (1984), now out of print.