The Kind of Man I Am

"In her fascinating book...[t]he author examines many aspects of Mingus' art and influence, from his collaboration with Joni Michel...to [his] dark and twisty recollections of growing up in South Central Los Angeles as a shy, light-skinned son of a tough, Caucasian-looking Army father, and his struggles as a black musician."—Eugene Holley Jr., Downbeat

"In her fascinating book[t]he author examines many aspects of Mingus' art and influence, from his collaboration with Joni Michelto [his] dark and twisty recollections of growing up in South Central Los Angeles as a shy, light-skinned son of a tough, Caucasian-looking Army father, and his struggles as a black musician."—Eugene Holley Jr., Downbeat

"This is a wonderful book, by far the most sophisticated study to date on Mingus,it is both clearly written and a joy to read."—Eric Lewis, Cercles

"An absorbing, timely, and indeed important book, The Kind of Man I Am introduces a fresh model for thinking about jazz and gender. This is a book that will help rejuvenate the field, pushing its boundaries and opening up new avenues of inquiry."—John Gennari, associate professor of English and critical race and ethnic studies, University of Vermont

"An absorbing, timely, and indeed important book, The Kind of Man I Am introduces a fresh model for thinking about jazz and gender. This is a book that will help rejuvenate the field, pushing its boundaries and opening up new avenues of inquiry."—John Gennari, associate professor of English and critical race and ethnic studies, University of Vermont

"Nichole Rustin-Paschal's astonishing study unpacks the swagger of jazzmasculinity—a cultural figuration often misheard as solely male. By gendering Mingus studies, she challenges us to hear jazz culture as much more. A must read and instant classic."—Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr., author of The Amazing Bud Powell: Black Genius, Jazz History and the Challenge of Bebop