Autobiography
“The natural
tone of Nicky Gentil’s richly anecdotal narrative will delight not only
pianists and jazz enthusiasts but anyone who just happens to like pianos in
general.” - Cadence Info Magazine
A collection of humorous,
touching, unputdownable stories set in Paris, The
Jazz-Girl, the Piano, and the Dedicated Tuner transports
you into a feel-good world of jazz, pianos and the little-known art of
piano tuning. An entertaining slice of life, regardless of whether or not you
play a musical instrument, this book explores the world of Nina Somerville, an
Englishwoman who - while others are going through a mid-life crisis - discovers
by complete chance her true calling: jazz improvisation. In a bid to enjoy that
passion to the full, she purchases the piano of her dreams - a Steinway baby
grand - leading her to make yet another discovery: the intricate mysteries of
the fascinating piano tuning profession.
Against the backdrop of the Eiffel
tower and the Champs-Élysées, from the quest for the perfect sound to an
unexpected chance to perform in public, music takes Nina on a journey which is
at times improbable and hilarious, but equally moving, not to mention extremely
informative.
Previously published in France, The Jazz-Girl has been greatly received, and has
the interesting addition of being musically illustrated on the author’s YouTube
channel with some characters playing pieces alluded to in the stories.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
The title is as intruiging as the stories Nicky Gentil tells are unusual. Where else does one hear about one person's relationship with a piano and the tuner she finds, in and amongst her own discovery of blues and her path to performing as a jazz pianist? These stories are bookended by Nicky's account of how she came to write them, and the reasons for her choices about how to present them. Her enthusiasm and passion are evident all the way through, conveyed in her own distinctive narrative form. We learn how the discovery of her perfect pitch throws the Jazz Girl into conflict and despair at times as she seeks to be able to unveil the intrinsic beauty of her piano, and the rewards of not giving up on a quest. And we learn too how Nicky is using the sales of her book to cover the costs of Parisian tuners going out to look after the pianos in the Arbre à Musique music school in Yaounde, Cameroon. What could be better!
Absolutely delightful book and a fascinating insight into the world of piano tuning. Perhaps most importantly this book raises funds towards the tuning of pianos in Africa so you can buy the book knowing that your money is helping others with a love for this beautiful instrument.
I just loved this delightful book! Gentil has a deft way with words and this book celebrating her love of jazz, her struggles to get her piano to the perfection she hoped, and the piano tuner who did this and who became her friend. I was so happy to see this book which went into the author's musical life in more depth and I enjoyed it as much as her first book which revolved around stories she'd learned on taxi rides. I'm looking forward to hearing more from her.
Short stories are good as you get an interesting variety of subjects. I like the stories but as someone who doesn't read music I found this book quite tricky to get along with but I loved the passion of the writer for her instrument and her music. I think someone who understands piano's and music would love this book.
