Cats Of Any Color: Jazz In Black And White books (Hachette Books)

Upon original publication in 1995, Cats Of Any Color raised eyebrows for being an entire book devoted to a touchy and controversial subject: race in the jazz world. Yet it never comes across as a political broadside, but rather a series of warm, informative conversations with assorted jazz luminaries who relate their lived experiences in a way that's candid and matter-of-fact but never preachy. There are countless amazing stories and anecdotes, some funny, some tragic, and the author (a noted veteran jazz critic and writer) lets his love and respect for his interview subjects permeate every page.