Is History The Agreed Upon Lie ?: JOURNEY TO JAZZLAND by GIA VOLTERRA DE SAUNIER

· What is your book about?
“Journey to Jazzland” is a picture book for kids ages 5 – 9 that’s about a Flute named Windy who gets bored in Orchestra one day and wants to learn about jazz. It helps teach kids about music in a very fun way.

· What inspired you to write this particular story (and/or series)?
This story is basically about my experience with jazz and learning to play jazz. I’ve been a jazz musician (with other types of performing music) for over 20 years. My main goal here is to help bring back music to Elementary schools.

· Are your characters in the book based on anyone you know?
I would say that Sly Guitar is based off a few jazz cats I know. By that I mean musicians that play jazz guitar that actually talk like that (J)

· Favorite snack when writing.
Anything chocolate related ;), but I do like a nice cup of tea as well.

· Share the biggest hurdles in the marketing process.
It’s been a little bit of a challenge to market this picture book, but it’s also a good thing that I understand how to use Social Media from our Renaissance Faires we do here in MA/NH area. Since this book is for a different target audience (by that I mean jazz musicians, teachers and parents or folks that like jazz), I’ve had to tweak my marketing campaign a lot, and I’ve found different places where I can post about my book (like your blog for instance, so thank you for that) so that people can search for it on Search Engines (such as Google for instance).

· Is there anything else you would like to say to your readers?
I hope that you enjoy reading “Journey to Jazzland” and I hope that you read it to your children and your grandchildren and instill the love of jazz or just music itself.

· Where can readers find you and your book(s) online?

Right now, my book is available on Amazon and at my pal’s online store New England Peddler

About The Author:

Born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and attended University of Lowell (now University of Massachusetts, Lowell). It was there that I learned to love jazz. I have been performing jazz and other kinds of music for over 20 years, throughout the New England area. I live in North Reading, Massachusetts with my husband Richard, and my son Charlie.

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Genre: Children's Book

Publisher: Flying Turtle Publishing

Release Date: July 1, 2013

Amazon

Book Description:

Join Windy Flute, Spitz Trumpet and their friends as they travel to a legendary place where music is joyous, creative and free.

Excerpt:

One day during an orchestra rehearsal, Windy Flute was playing a piece of music and her mind started to wander. Over and over, she had practiced this piece and played this piece. Feeling bored, she felt that she wanted to be a little different.

Then something special happened. She began to hear notes that weren’t on the page of sheet music on her stand! When she started playing what she heard, Windy realized these new notes made her feel better. The harmonies and the melodies were the same, but the music moved differently. Before she could figure things out, she was interrupted by a stern voice.

“Excuse me, Ms. Flute, do you mind playing with the rest of us? Where do you think you are — Jazzland?” said Mr. Conductor, scowling down at her.

After the rehearsal, Mr. Conductor gave Windy a severe look and stomped off the stage.

Windy turned to her friends in the woodwind section. “What’s Jazzland?” she asked. She was still thinking about the good feelings she got from playing different notes.

“It’s a myth,” said Mr. Bassoon.

“That’s right,” said Mr. Oboe, “It’s a legend. It doesn’t really exist.”

“I think it exists,” said Spitz Trumpet.