The colourful, personal story of an early jazz legend First published in 1971 and now lovingly reissued this autobiography is a valuable, entertaining, and sometimes risque firsthand account of early New Orleans jazz by one of the pioneers of the string bass. In transcribed interviews, Foster describes the milieu in which early jazz developed. With great attention to detail and an outspoken narrative style he puts the record straight, correcting many jazz critics and historians in the process. Colorful anecdotes bring to life legends of early jazz such as Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, and King Oliver. A generous collection of rare photographs complement this dramatic and fascinating story.