Book Review: Dream Lucky by Roxane Orgill

Despite poverty, the threat of war, and intense racial discrimination the 1930s were a time of hope for many America people of color.  In this new book Roxane Orgill paints the portrait if a young Count Basie as he goes from local musician in Kansas City to a successful band leader in New York City.  Along the way, she puts the reader in touch with the pulse of America from 1936 to 1938.

Basie dreams of making it big in New York City, but what that means in 1936 is playing in whites only clubs or ballrooms.  In some cases, black people were allowed to pay an entry fee and stand near the bandstand, but not dance. The absurdity of black musicians entertaining white patrons and then not being allowed to mix with the white patrons, eat from the kitchen or even use the bathroom facilities seems bizarre these days.  In Basie's day it was considered progress.  When on tour, Basie and his band rarely were allowed to stay in mixed hotels and where they could find accommodations, the facilities were dreadful and dirty. Yet, Basie and his fellow musicians loved this life and considered themselves very fortunate to make a small living as musicians.

To get the full view of America in the mid-30s, Orgill weaves in views of popular radio shows, Amelia Earhart's adventurous journey, sporting events and the presidency of FDR. Further, she blends in tales of a young Langston Hughes, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., and Jacob Lawrence. It was the time of a cultural renaissance in Harlem and Orgill gives the reader a real sense of a better future to come for black Americans.

While the larger social issues are important to the book, Basie's tale is its centerpiece.  The reader empathizes with Basie when he has to ask for help because he cannot read music, roots for him as he finds is stride in New York and applauds his humility as he becomes successful.  He makes the perfect hero for a bold era in America history. His music transcends the racial and economic divides, and so does the man.

This is an uplifting story and particularly relevant as our current political climate focuses on the concept of hope and coping with the history of racism in America.