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.
Lincoln Rider
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
Bambi Wings
This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. π Rekindling my love for reading β this app has reintroduced me to the joy of books in a whole new way. ππ₯
Tall Sally
π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π
Tunez
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces.
HighBomber
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable!
Firedog
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Fire Bite
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. πΆπ The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! π΅π§ π Simplifying my reading routine β this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. πβ¨ ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
AirportHobo XD
I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Demand Chopper
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§
Grabber
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Minty Devil
My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Lady Q
This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Light Despair
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The app's recommendations are surprisingly accurate β it's like they know my taste perfectly! The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Sugar Apple
Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session.
Pitfall Whiskers
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. I don't have strong feelings about this one either way. The narration was competent but forgettable. The story itself was more engaging than the performance.
QuestWeaver
With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Lady Q
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Texas Butterfly
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features.
Gingersnap Woman
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable.
EchoExplorer
Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
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