[Dixielandjazz] New biography of Bunny Berigan released

[Julie Flemming]

New Bunny Berigan Biography
Published
By Julie Flemming
 
       Whether you are an armchair historian, lover of music who is interested in the “Swing Era,” a fan of  Bunny Berigan, or simply love a “good read” where you cannot put the book down even to go get a cup of coffee, you will want to read the new biography of Bunny Berigan.  Michael P. Zirpolo of Canton, Ohio, has written “Mr. Trumpet: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumph of Bunny Berigan,” and he did not do so on a whim.  Michael spent over twenty-five years researching and gathering information about the legendary trumpet player Bunny Berigan. What he has produced is truly a “work of art,” and a source of information that will hold generations spellbound as they seek to learn about Bunny Berigan, as well as the “swing era” that swept the United States and went on to create energy world wide.
         This new book reads like a story….a story that will live in your heart for evermore.  Bunny was a tremendous musician who was catapulted to fame by his talent.  He was a Midwestern talent that hit New York City and found his life moving in directions he never dreamed possible when he was growing up in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.  Bunny’s tragic death at the age of 33 only magnifies his accomplishments, and this new book will take one through all the years of his short life, which could be compared with an ancient Greek tragedy. As one reads, there will be many an “Oh yes, “Oh no,” “Oh how sad,” and “Oh how can that be?”  Not only does the book tell the story of Bunny, but because of the footnotes that Michael has included in every chapter, one gets full context, the complete picture of what was happening at that time. As Mike himself stated one time “I have tried to set Bunny’s life in context as much as possible, so
 my story includes much information about the development of not only the band business in general, but of the recording industry, network radio, MCA (Music Corporation of America) and the musicians’ union, Bunny’s work associates, etc.  On the personal side, there is much information about how conscientious and hard-working Bunny was. We all know that he was an alcoholic who had the terrible luck to be struck with cirrhosis, which of course caused his premature death. But very little has been written about how well he functioned day-to-day as the virtuoso leader of a touring dance band, literally almost up to the day he died…………Despite this, there remains the persistent notion that Bunny Berigan was an irresponsible, happy-go-lucky drunkard.  That most certainly was not the case.”
          Experts on the subject matter of the book have written glowing reviews of “Mr. Trumpet.” One such review was written by broadcaster and swing era historian Richard Claar, who is a co-moderator of the world’s largest big band online discussion group under the auspices of the University of Colorado American Music Research Center Glenn Miller Archive.  He stated: “This book is a biography of Bunny Berigan, but it is also the story of the swing era of American musical history, a time when, truly, musical giants strode the earth.  It is impeccably researched and well written; indeed it is one of the best biographies of a jazz musician that I’ve ever encountered and I’ve read more than a few.”   He went on to say “it is also highly entertaining…..it is insightful, truly revealing, occasionally of devastating depth. It is a uniquely American story, a tragedy that, ultimately, miraculously, is inspirational.”
          Christopher Popa, a music librarian, swing era expert and historian based in Chicago has written a comprehensive review of “Mr. Trumpet” on his website Big Band Library (November, 2011). He contends that it is a “panoramic biography....It presents the fullest, truest picture of Berigan that can likely ever be.” About Michael’s writing style, Popa comments “he retains the objectivity needed to write the definitive biography of Berigan, and tells his story with understanding, compassion and respect.”  And another critic, Dennis M. Spragg of the Glenn Miller Archive, American Music Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, has stated: “What is especially poignant is the story of Berigan’s marriage, children and devotion to family which no one, including the late George T. Simon, has previously documented with such honesty and tenderness…….The focus and level of detail that is presented is
 incredible….Michael Zirpolo has captured the story of Bunny Berigan in an entertaining and informative read.”
           Not only has this wonderful book been created by Michael Zirpolo, but he has also  created a website about “Mr. Trumpet” that is constantly being revised, enlarged and updated. On that website one can read excerpts from the book and look at dozens of pictures that have never been released to the public before, pictures that are not even contained in the book.  There is a place on the website to comment back to Mike and see where events like “author talks” and book signings will be taking place.  That website is www.bunnyberiganmrtrumpet.com .
          Ordering a copy of the book can be done in a number of ways.  It is published by Scarecrow Press as part of its “Studies in Jazz” series, in conjunction with the Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University. The easiest way to order is by going to the website www.bunnyberiganmrtrumpet.com , and clicking on the box at the top of the home page that says “order now,” or by contacting the publisher, Scarecrow Press, Inc. at 1-800-462-6420, www.scarecrowpress.com 
          Michael Zirpolo will be an honored quest at the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, on May 18-20, 2012.  He will be doing presentations on Bunny Berigan, chatting with the attendees, and will have books for sale. He will be happy to sign his book for those who want an inscribed copy.