Book description
Magic City is the story of one of American music's essential unsung places: Birmingham, Alabama, birthplace of a distinctive and influential jazz heritage. In a telling replete with colorful characters, iconic artists, and unheralded masters, Burgin Mathews reveals how Birmingham was the cradle and training ground for such luminaries as big band leader Erskine Hawkins, cosmic outsider Sun Ra, and a long list of sidemen, soloists, and arrangers. He also celebrates the contributions of local educators, club owners, and civic leaders who nurtured a vital culture of Black expression in one of the country's most notoriously segregated cities. In Birmingham, jazz was more than entertainment: long before the city emerged as a focal point in the national civil rights movement, its homegrown jazz heroes helped set the stage, crafting a unique tradition of independence, innovation, achievement, and empowerment. Blending deep archival research and original interviews with living elders of the Birmingham scene, Mathews elevates the stories of figures like John T. "Fess" Whatley, the pioneering teacher-bandleader who emphasized instrumental training as a means of upward mobility and community pride. Along the way, he takes readers into the high school band rooms, fraternal ballrooms, vaudeville houses, and circus tent shows that shaped a musical movement, revealing a community of players whose influence spread throughout the world.
Knock Out Star
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Hoboken Nightingale
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. 💃 Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores – a dance of productivity! 🎶📖 🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Danqqqqq
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. 🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟
Steel Heart
Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked! ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Breadmaker
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
McDreamy
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Raid Bucker
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. 📚💫
Curio
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊
ThickSKN
This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Alias Stick
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces.
Force
ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Screwtape
The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
TrinitySoul
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Little Drunk Girl
Thanks to ListenBook's extensive statistics, I can track my audiobook consumption and celebrate my progress. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Venom Petunia
I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. 🌟 Say goodbye to boredom during long drives – this app makes road trips fly by! 🚗🎉 The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze.
Stallion Patton
This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Loot
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. 🌌 Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey – thank you, this app! ✨📚 Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Abyss Tamer
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Purity
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Bliss
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. 🎧 Elevating my reading experience – this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience