Saginaw musicians jam in the heady days of early jazz. SAGINAW MUSICIANS: Writer Raising $$$ on Kickstarter for Book
February 15, 2014
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Did you know that Saginaw, Michigan, was the wellspring of several popular songs?
Author H. Fred Reif wants to make sure more people know the musical history of Saginaw so he is raising money through a "crowd-funding" website, Kickstarter.com, to fund his book project: "All Of Me - A History of Saginaw, Michigan Musicians 1850s - 1950s."
"I need your funding support to self-publish this important book on the history of music in Saginaw, Michigan, and its influence on the music of the United States and beyond," says Fred Reif, who adds: "Anyone interested in American music will find this newly uncovered material fascinating."
Reif was born and grew up in Saginaw and began his musical career at age 12. He toured with washboard player Lazy Lester and has written many articles for blues magazines. He is profiled on a Detroit Music History website http://www.detroitmusichistory.com/contributors.html
An impressive number of Saginaw area musicians and composers have gone on to national and international fame in a variety of genres, he notes (pun intended).
For example, Gerald Marks co-wrote an American classic, "All Of Me." Danny Russo, co-wrote another gem, "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye." Isham Jones led one of the most popular orchestras in the country in the 1920s.
Jazz legend Sonny Stitt likewise hailed from Saginaw, as did the legendary Stevie Wonder.
"I've had the opportunity to interview a number of these great artists," Reif says. "I also have sourced about 200 archival photos dating back to 1911 and up to the 1950s. The majority of these have never been published.
"This project will occupy a valuable niche in the history of American music by shining a light on a creative community until now largely overlooked by historians and authors."
Reif, of Ann Arbor, has been working on this project since 1972. A publisher he had lined up, but the company recently went out of business as the book was being edited. "Thus, my decision to publish it myself," he commented.
"Once the book comes out, I will follow through with the in-store appearances previously planned. I also plan on holding lectures at Michigan libraries, historical societies, and so forth.
"For a number of years, I have carried out various promotional and marketing projects, including booking musicians worldwide, organizing album/CD releases, compiling liner notes, and writing for a number of magazines around the world."
Reif concludes: "In my career in music, I have worked through many challenges. But I never even considered quitting this project because I remain convinced it represents a very important chapter in the cultural history of Saginaw, the State of Michigan, and the entire country."
Please go to the Kickstarter website below for more informationhttp://kck.st/1bMLQpx ###
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