Reading Black music.

In celebration of Black Music Month, June 2004, here's a listing of several titles that recognize the various artists and distinctive styles and voices that have helped to define black music.

Armstrong by David Bradbury Haus Publishing, March 2004 $22.95, ISBN 1-904-34147-0

In this new slim yet authoritative--biography, the great Satchmo comes alive, as Bradbury chronicles the life of one of the greatest musicians and cultural icons of the 20th century.

Freedom Is, Freedom Ain't: Jazz and the Making of the Sixties by Scott Saul Harvard University Press, November 2003 $29.95, ISBN 0-674-01148-1

An account of jazz during the mid-'50s and late '60s, when the music was recognized as being more than just cool it was also militant and moody. In the age of Coltrane, Davis and Mingus, the music they created was also tied to the emergence of Black Power and the Civil Rights Movement.

Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and the Rise and Fall of American Soul by Craig Werner, Crown March 2004 $24.00, ISBN 0-609-60993-9

The music that belted from the hearts of these three distinguished artists defines soul music as we now appreciate it. All three artists' musical roots were in Southern gospel, and the book tells of the traditions that inspired them.

Ike Turner: King of Rhythm by Jude Collis, The Do-Not Press, April 2004, $22.95, ISBN 1-904-31624-7

Although Ike Turner is oftentimes remembered as a domineering and violent husband, let's not forget that Ike and his bands made noteworthy and innovative contributions to blues, as well as rock 'n' roll.

Jazz Planet edited by E. Taylor Atkins University Press of Mississippi, November 2003, $46.00, ISBN 1-578-06608-5

A collection of essays that focuses on the evolution and extension of American jazz into various cultures around the world and the contributions foreign musicians have made to the art form.

Jimi Hendrix: The Lyrics compiled by Janie L. Hendrix, Hal Leonard Corp., December 2003, $27.00, ISBN 0-634-04930-5

For the legion of fans of the psychedelic genius of Jimi Hendrix, his sister, Janie, has put together a colorful scrapbook of photographs and the complete lyrics of more than 70 of his most treasured songs.

Lost Sounds: Black and the Birth of the Recording industry 1890-1919 by Tim Brooks, University of Illinois Press May 2004, $65.00, ISBN 0-252-02850-3

This well researched book examines the first three decades of sound recording in the United States and illuminates the careers of important artists such as George W. Johnson, who was considered the first black recording "star," the Unique Quartet, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Eubie Blake and W.C. Handy and the impact they had on the recording industry,

Moanin' at Midnight; The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf by James Segrest and Mark Hoffman, Pantheon Books June 2004 $26.95, ISBN 0-375-42246-3

It has been said that no performer could rock the house like Howlin' Wolf. This is a full-length biography of the electrifying bluesman and rock 'n' roller who began his music career playing juke joints throughout the Mississippi Delta after working as a sharecropper.

No Woman, No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley by Rita Marley with Hettie Jones, Hyperion April 2004, $22.95, ISBN 0-786-86867-8

At the age of 21, Rita Marley married reggae giant Bob Marley. And for the all of her married life, she was a courageous and devoted wife, in spite of the obstacles she encountered, in this engaging biography, Rita shares the details of her fascinating life and surfaces as a dynamic voice in her own right.

Soul on Soul: The Life and Music of Mary Lou Williams by Tammy L. Kernodle Northeastern University Press April 2004 $30.00, ISBN 1-555-53606-9

The triumphant ups and tearful downs are chronicled in this biography of arranger, composer and pianist Mary Lou Williams, one of the most influential and versatile artist--male or female--in the canon of jazz

Showtime at the Apollo: The Story of Harlem's World Famous Theater by Ted Fox, Mill Road Enterprises, January 2004, $18.95, ISBN 0-972-37001-3

Ever since the first show at the Apollo Theater in 1934, the venue has become a cultural treasure for black show business. This newly updated edition of Showtime at the Apollo (originally published in 1983) details the history of the theater and highlights many of the performers who have graced its stage.

Temples of Sound: Inside the Great Recording Studios by Jim Cogan and William Clark Foreword by Quincy Jones Chronicle Books, March 2003 $24.98, ISBN 0-811-83394-1

The authors present a travelogue that tells the stories of famous studios from Detroit to Memphis to Philadelphia, where some of the most exciting and memorable tunes were recorded. The narrative is full of wonderful details, and the photographs of Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday during rehearsals are classic.