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.
Jade Fox
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DreamWeaver
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before.
Virgo Moon
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus! Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
ShadowDancer
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better.
Kevlar Wanted
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse – chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. 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!
Old Regret
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. ListenBook’s design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Classy Dancer
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. 🧘♀️☕ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! 🍵📖 Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. 📱📖 I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Highway
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Toolmaker
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Winter Underdog
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Silent
Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Kazami of Truth
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Wrangler Jim
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱
Woo Woo
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset.
Steel Solstice
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection – this app's functionality is a winner. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless.
Sylvester Eye
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Nueva Nova
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Prof. Smirk
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Dora the Destroyer
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Grave Digger
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary 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