Really the Blues

Really the Blues is a 1946 memoir by jazz musician Milton "Mezz" Mezzrow, chronicling his life in Chicago's music scene from the 1920s through the 1940s. The book recounts Mezzrow's journey from reform school to becoming a clarinet player and prominent jazz figure. The narrative follows Mezzrow's immersion in African American music and culture during a pivotal era in jazz history. His account documents the Chicago music landscape, his relationships with major jazz figures, and his experiences as a white musician who fully embraced Black cultural identity. Much of the book details prison life, marijuana use, and the underground aspects of the music world between Prohibition and World War II. Mezzrow's streetwise language and musician's slang create a raw portrait of the period. The memoir stands as both a historical document of early jazz culture and an exploration of racial identity in American society. Through Mezzrow's personal story, the book examines themes of cultural authenticity, musical innovation, and social transformation in twentieth-century America.

Readers describe Really the Blues as a vivid first-hand account of the early jazz scene, though many question its historical accuracy. The book maintains a 4.2/5 rating on Goodreads across 500+ ratings. Readers appreciate: - Raw, unfiltered portrayal of 1920s-40s jazz culture - Details about musicians' lives and relationships - Authentic period slang and dialogue - Inside look at race relations in the jazz world Common criticisms: - Mezzrow's self-aggrandizing tone - Embellished or exaggerated stories - Focus on drug use overshadows the music - Writing can be unfocused and rambling Multiple readers note the book works better as a cultural snapshot than reliable history. "More like listening to a colorful storyteller in a bar than reading documented facts," writes one Amazon reviewer. Goodreads users frequently mention skimming past lengthy drug-related passages to get to the music content. Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings)

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🎷 Mezz Mezzrow, born Milton Mesirow, was not just a jazz musician but also became one of the primary marijuana dealers to jazz musicians in Harlem during the 1920s and '30s, earning him the nickname "The Link Between the Races" 📚 The book, published in 1946, was one of the first insider accounts of the early jazz scene and became highly influential on the Beat Generation writers, particularly Jack Kerouac 🎵 During his time in prison (which he describes in the book), Mezzrow organized one of the first integrated prison bands at The Tombs in New York City 🌟 The term "mezz," which became slang for marijuana in the jazz community, was derived from Mezzrow's name due to his reputation as a reliable dealer 🎺 French existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre was a fan of the book and wrote about it extensively, helping to establish its reputation in European intellectual circles