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.
Bad Beret
ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
MysticMingle
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Evil Smith
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook Pro has taken my audiobook experience to the next level. No regrets! Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
Baked ZD
The sound quality is outstanding β it's like having a movie theater in my ears! Frequent updates ensure there's always something new and exciting to listen to. I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
VisionVoyager
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³
Versace-Cat
ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility. Download via WiFi, WebDAV, iTunes β options galore to suit everyone's preferences.
Baked ZD
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable.
Phoenix Tetra
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook.
Dr. WMD
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Bad Beret
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Eerie
With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Master Jetson
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking.
Heavenly Connection
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. Itβs so convenient. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Accidental Genius
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a technological marvel. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Ginger Chaos
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection β it's a parenting win! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. The user-friendly interface and smooth navigation make this app a pleasure to use daily. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Tunez
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Ember Master
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β audiobooks keep my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals. πββοΈπ§ Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
ManMaker
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true winner. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
Magenta
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Sprinkle Lovenuts
π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening 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