work of a respected acquaintance. This is an especially pleasant opportunity
when a book exceeds the already high expectations that one may have had in
advance of publication. Knowing the writer and the subject matter led me to
expect nothing but the best and most informative read. However, having read and
considered the contents of the work, I can enthusiastically say that I have just
finished an impressive work of professional scholarship that will stand as one
of the rare and essential histories of jazz and the big band era.
"Mr. Trumpet, The Trials, Tribulations and Triumph of Bunny Berigan" has been
published by Scarecrow Press, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Rowman and
Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc., Lanham, Maryland. It is Publication No. 64
in the "Studies of Jazz" Series.
This book is the comprehensive and indispensable biography of Roland Bernard
"Bunny" Berigan. The author is Michael Zirpolo.
Anyone interested in Bunny Berigan, his contemporaries, jazz and big band
history will be riveted to this book from the moment that they open it. Michael
Zirpolo has captured the essence of his subject. Not only does Michael's love
and respect for Bunny create a very enjoyable read, his attention to detail and
precision result in a most informative, thorough and balanced tour-de-force.
The biography includes numerous previously unpublished photographs and a
comprehensive broadcast discography.
Over years of dedicated study, Michael has thoughtfully assembled information
from numerous sources and has unlocked valuable documentation from the
University of Wisconsin, Madison and the Fox Lake Public Library among many
other sources.
The reader follows the life and career of Bunny Berigan from his beginnings in
Fox Lake, Wisconsin. We learn of Berigan's Irish and German ancestry and the
effect of his family and upbringing on the direction that he would pursue. For
the next 500 or so pages we are taken to the world of Bunny Berigan, Hal Kemp,
Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and many other giants of jazz.
Michael takes us through the history of Berigan the talent as leader, sideman,
soloist and improviser. There are many aspects to his associations that the
reader will not have known or associations that were different or of longer
duration and depth than the reader will have previously understood. Michael
pulls no punches in a balanced and thoughtful presentation of Berigan's
character, challenges and health issues. What is especially poignant is the
story of Berigan's marriage, children and devotion to family which no one,
including the late George T. Simon, has previously documented with such honesty
and tenderness.
What greatly impresses someone currently writing their own manuscript are the
detailed chapter notes that Michael has assiduously assembled. The focus and
level of detail that is presented is monumental. The chapter notes include
dozens of insightful observations about many people, events, recordings and
venues that in themselves are more than worth adding the book to anyone's jazz
and big band collection. My knowledge of details has been increased ten fold by
Michael's attention to detail.
From my specific vantage point, a very minor quibble is that it would have been
interesting to learn something more of Berigan's presence with the first Glenn
Miller recording session. However, we do learn a great deal about vocalists
Kathleen Lane and Gail Reese and their associations with Berigan, which
paralleled their associations with the then-struggling Miller.
Michael Zirpolo has captured the story of Bunny Berigan in an entertaining and
informative read. I will not go on and give away all the details or the plot
but suffice to say that there are revelations and surprises. My personal
experience has been that with this book my understanding of an essential
personality and talent of jazz and big band history has come to life in way that
my superficial and anecdotal knowledge of the man from other accounts and
recordings had never done justice to. I suspect that everyone else interested
in the subject matter will come away feeling the same way.
Our appreciation for Bunny Berigan, his talent, place in American music history
and stature as a giant of jazz has thus been lovingly established and confirmed
for all time by his devoted biographer Michael Zirpolo.
Michael's work is a monumental contribution to jazz history which I highly
recommend without reservation and with profound respect and appreciation."
Dennis M. Spragg
Glenn Miller Archive
American Music Research Center
University of Colorado, Boulder
TO BUY THE BOOK OR BUNNY's MUSIC JUST CLICK HERE
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