Rhythm in the Rain is a nonfiction narrative about the jazz community in the Pacific Northwest that examines the people, places, and events that have made cities like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, so popular among musicians. From the genesis of Jackson Street and Williams Avenue in the 1940s & ’50s with such legends as Ray Charles and Quincy Jones, to the modern voices of George Colligan, Rebecca Kilgore, and Esperanza Spalding, this book aims to encompass and illuminate the rich musical history of a region that, while not widely recognized as a jazz mecca, has seen its relevance within the local community. Written by local musician, radio broadcaster, and author Lynn Darroch, Rhythm in the Rain serves to inform and entertain, while showing that jazz is undoubtedly another of the countless cultural offerings this wonderful corner of the country has cultivated throughout its history.
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Reviews
“A beautiful remembrance and reminder of all who came before, and the great tradition that is still being built today.” — Dan Balmer
“Lynn is one of the most thoughtful and thought provoking observers of the Northwest jazz scene to come along in years. His are beautifully crafted commentaries.” — Tom Grant
“Rhythm In The Rain is a compelling must-read for anyone interested in the cultural history of the Pacific Northwest. Lynn Darroch brilliantly captures the creative, can-do spirit of Cascadia, chronicles several generations of the region’s leading musicians, and explores the secret of why so many of us—mystics, misfits and vagabonds—choose to live and work here.” — Dmitri Matheny
Rhythm in the Rain
Start to Finish
Sailing Over the Horizon; Landing Someplace NewWith a couple cracks of thunder, a light hail baptism, and an enthusiastic welcome from an amazing crowd, At the Waterline was launched into the world (and onto the Powell’s staff picks shelf!). If you’ve been following our journey, you already know what Team Rivers has been up to. We helped Brian edit his manuscript, we added maps and diagrams, we dreamed up a killer marketing campaign, and we planned a citywide celebration to top it all off. At the Waterline is sailing smoothly into readers’ lives, with lots of fun stops planned for the future. It’s the nature of the publishing process that eventually we have to let one book go and turn our attention to the next. But before At the Waterline slips over the horizon on its world tour, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the crew that helped make her seaworthy.
