John Clellon Holmes reflects on the history of jazz in this classic novel. Edgar Pool is "The Horn," the hero, and the man who helps change the face of American music. He becomes the legend whose triumphant and tragic career is reconstructed through the memories of his friends and lovers.
I read The Horn about 20 years ago now and interviewed Mr. Holmes at the University of Arkansas. This is a great read for the enthusiasm of the Beats for bebop jazz and jazz's connection with the whole Beat movement. As a student assigned to interview the university's resident Beat writer, I paid a visit to Mr. Holmes and drank a six-pack of beer and spent the afternoon and early evening with Mr. Holmes who talked more about Kerouac and Ginsberg than himself. He referred to Kerouac as a genius, and was exceptionally modest and considerate. However, I think his work stands up with the rest of the Beats and is very good. This is my favorite of his books. I find it interesting it's being released as a paperback in 1999. The Beat Generation is being passed to Generation Y.
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