Overview

"Dan Bernstein got his first blat out of a trombone when he was in fourth grade. Now in his seventies, the retired newspaper columnist who lives in Riverside, California, is still playing his ax - still for little or no money at all. He Kept His Day Job, described by one reviewer as a ""love letter"" disguised as a memoir, takes readers on a musical joy ride through bumpy, challenging and exhilarating terrain: the hate-to-practice years, ""frightfully flat"" solo contests, high school bands and orchestras, Stanford's purported ""marching"" band, an adult community college jazz band, a perfect-chemistry brass quintet, an assisted-living center in Oregon and a Riverside hospital's ICU and oncology units where Bernstein played for patients and harried staff. This is where the idea for this book was born. Though just one small story, this Fanfare for the Common Musician is meant to be contagious, inspiring young musicians to keep playing and adults, particularly those with day jobs, to take their instruments, tap shoes and paint brushes out of the attic and fall in love all over again."

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9798889926573

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Reviews

Any adult even remotely considering pulling their instrument, paintbrushes or dance shoes out of the closet should read this book. - ALEX ISLES, Principal trombonist, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra; LA Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band This is a wonderful story of a life full of interesting people, entertaining (and funny) experiences, and unexpected growth as a musician and person. -DAVID CAFFEY, California Jazz Education Hall of Fame; International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Everyone, not just professionals, should connect with their creativity and the joy that brings to one's life. Dan Bernstein illustrates how he's done just that in this heartfelt memoir. - JUDITH CARMICHAEL, Grammy-nominated jazz pianist; host of podcast/NPR show Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired [This book] reminds us all of our humanity, and just how powerful music can be to heal, create community, and spread light and joy in the world. If you don't see yourself somewhere in this book, you're not actually reading it! - JOHN JORGENSON, Grammy-winning musician & composer Dan shows us the joy and humanity of music through the lens of his colorful life as a student, journalist and musician. - JEFF HELLMER, Interim Director, Butler School of Music; University Distinguished Teaching Professor University of Texas at Austin

"""Any adult even remotely considering pulling their instrument, paintbrushes or dance shoes out of the closet should read this book."" - ALEX ISLES, Principal trombonist, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra; LA Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band ""This is a wonderful story of a life full of interesting people, entertaining (and funny) experiences, and unexpected growth as a musician and person."" -DAVID CAFFEY, California Jazz Education Hall of Fame; International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers ""Everyone, not just professionals, should connect with their creativity and the joy that brings to one's life. Dan Bernstein illustrates how he's done just that in this heartfelt memoir."" - JUDITH CARMICHAEL, Grammy-nominated jazz pianist; host of podcast/NPR show Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired ""[This book] reminds us all of our humanity, and just how powerful music can be to heal, create community, and spread light and joy in the world. If you don't see yourself somewhere in this book, you're not actually reading it!"" - JOHN JORGENSON, Grammy-winning musician & composer ""Dan shows us the joy and humanity of music through the lens of his colorful life as a student, journalist and musician."" - JEFF HELLMER, Interim Director, Butler School of Music; University Distinguished Teaching Professor University of Texas at Austin"

Author Information

"Dan Bernstein is a retired newspaper columnist and author of two picture books and ""Justice in Plain Sight: How a Small-townNewspaper and its Unlikely Lawyer Opened America's Courtrooms."" He lives in Riverside, California, with his wife, Candia, and dogs, Sherman and Harry."

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