Just for a Thrill by James L Dickerson

Just for a Thrill by James L Dickerson

Lillian Lil Hardin was a pioneer for women in jazz. After studying at Fisk University, the Chicago College of Music, and the New York College of Music, Lil joined Sugar Johnny's Creole Orchestra and then moved on to Freddie Keppard's Original Creole Orchestra. In the 1920's Lil began playing in King Oliver's world-famous Creole Jazz Band, becoming the first female jazz musician of renown. She was well-established in Chicago as a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader before she met and married Louis Armstrong in 1924. She was the only member of Armstrong's group that could read music. Based on extensive research, Dickerson's stunning biography is the first to examine this musical iconoclast's life and career.

Just for a Thrill brings the roots of jazz to life by telling the dramatic story of one young woman who became the 'brains' of the operation and, in the process, helped kickstart one of the greatest careers in jazzA fast read and a key piece of the puzzle. -- Ben Sidran, author of Black Talk and Talking Jazz
Just for a Thrill is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to the growing library of biographies and memoirs of the men and women who significantly contributed to the development of jazz. * Midwest Book Review *
This is Lil's story, to be sure, handled with intelligence and sensitivity. * Library Journal *
Dickerson, an experienced storyteller and jazz and blues historian, has delved into the meager sources on Hardin's early life and used them to construct a fascinating, sometimes surprising book. * Women's Review of Books *