James Kaplan

NYU University Heights, Bronx, spring 1970. Had never heard him, never heard *of* him. He came out on stage, smiled shyly, took that National steel out of the case, put a bottleneck on his finger, and went into a “Preachin’ Blues” that BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE. I haven’t been the same since.

Rest in peace John . I will never forget how kind you were to me over the years. The first time I met him was on New Year's eve in 1991 when he was opening up for Buddy Guy at Irving Plaza in New York. I was asked to sit in with Buddy that night. John handed me his 1930's National guitar with 14 gauge strings on it and smiled while I struggled to get anything out of it. He was a musical troubadour, an ambassador of the blues, a brilliant musician, a documentarian, a legend and the son of a legend. This is a big loss for all of us in the Blues community. #johnhammondjr

@booksandwine76 Thanks!

Jazz is not my jam BUT quality music non-fiction IS! This follows Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans, their genius and their demons, hepcats and heroin, and ‘Kind of Blue’, bestselling jazz LP of all time. A fully immersive brilliant biography @jckaplan #3ShadesOfBlue

@falatoradio Thank you!

I had a long drive. The James Kaplan audio book is outstanding! The second one is outstanding.

@adeplayspiano Thank you, sir!

Just finished reading this fantastic book by @jckaplan if you have any interest in Jazz you must read it. It’s extremely well written and researched, very readable. Will check out the Sinatra books out on the strength of this.

@SoulAtlantic Thank you!

Kicked off 2026 by finally finishing @jckaplan’s incredible ‘3 Shades Of Blue.’ Cannot recommend this book enough. Absolutely loved every second of it.

Christmas is coming! Remember the grooviest!

@caytlyn_brooke Been there. Sucks. Very sorry.

No one showed up for my book reading event. I know this happens and I'm trying really hard to keep it together but I feel terrible that the shop stayed open to host me for nothing.

Happy 137th to the New York Genius.

RIP Jill Sobule, a wise and witty voice stilled too soon. Listen to "When My Ship Comes In" and raise a glass.

@AnthonyGri10669 @HMilne57 @TheExtremeMusi1 Thank you, sir!

@HMilne57 @TheExtremeMusi1 By @jckaplan It’s a brilliant book!

What ROCKSTAR lived the LIFESTYLE the HARDEST???

@EOBroin @canongatebooks Go raibh maith agat.

3 Shades of Blue by @jckaplan really is as good as all the book blurbs claim. Powerful biographies told through a detailed cultural history, with brutal honesty & real admiration in equal measure. And Kaplan sure can write. @canongatebooks

Today through 04/22, save 50% on the "Sinatra: The Chairman" audiobook by @jckaplan, and @jckaplan audiobooks.com/promotions/pro…

@13thbeatle1 @NutsAccounts Think it’s Eleanor Bron.

I think this just gave me the ick

The Los Angeles Times calls it a "superb book . . . [Kaplan is] a master biographer, a dogged researcher and shaper of narrative, and this is his most ambitious book to date.” Now available in paperback. 🎺

3 Shades of Blue by @jckaplan takes us inside the lives of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans to reveal the making of the iconic album Kind of Blue—a masterpiece that changed jazz forever.

@BrendanfFoster Thank you, sir!

@jckaplan’s book 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the Lost Empire of Cool is without feckin’ doubt the most astonishing book written about music. It’s just so wonderful. It’s meticulously researched, full of humour, grit and guts. I wept and laughed!

And now I am upstairs some more books I have really enjoyed this year. The best histories often work towards a seminal moment - in this case, the release of “Kind Of Blue” by Miles Davis. This is exemplary writing by @jckaplan and the birth of cool!

@jckaplan: "He (@milesdavis) incorporates much of the quiet he found with #KindofBlue,” but then he picks up electronic instruments. He becomes more and more compromised physically." @revgotcher #Relistenability @penguinrandom wpr.org/culture/james-…