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.
Scuffs
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PixelPathfinder
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Sand Whiskers
Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. 📱🔊 The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. 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.
Snow Cream
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Electric Player
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Morbid Angel
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RealmRanger
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
The Shield Toronto
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Pistol Hydro
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Bae
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Runway Darling
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Apex
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
InsightInkwell
Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. 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!
Drugstore Cowboy
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
MindfulMingle
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition – I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. The app's reliability and ease of use make it a true gem in the world of audiobooks.
Drift
Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
InsightfulInk
🔥 Spicing up my routine with this app – it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! ✨📖 Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Steel Heart
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Leaf Assassin
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
PepperBurst
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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