James Lincoln Collier (June 29, 1928 – 2024) was an American journalist, professional musician, jazz commentator and author. Many of his non-fiction titles focussed on music theory and the history of jazz.
Life and career Collier and his brother, Christopher Collier, a history professor, together wrote several works of fiction for children and young adults. They also co-authored about a dozen books on American history. He and his son Geoffrey Lincoln Collier together published various works on jazz theory. James Lincoln Collier died in 2024.
In July 2014, Collier stirred controversy when his article "Nigger in the White House" was published in WestView News, a West Village newspaper. The article is critical of perceived racism in the far-right's opposition to President Barack Obama.
Bibliography On music and jazz Practical Music Theory: How music is put together from Bach to rock (1970) Jug Bands and Handmade Music: A creative approach to music theory and the instruments (1973)
Louis Armstrong. An American Genius (1983) Duke Ellington (1987) Reception of Jazz in America (1988)"Jazz historian James Lincoln Collier" (scroll down to article). Jazz Book Journal. March 31, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021. Discussion of his 1988 Reception of Jazz in America and his 1993 Jazz: The American Theme Song. Benny Goodman and the Swing Era (1989) Jazz: The American Theme Song (1993) Jazz: An American Saga (1997) The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1980 to present), contributor of entries on jazz and jazz-related subjects
Journal Article Publications with son, Geoffrey Collier An Exploration of the Use of Tempo in Jazz (1994) A Study of Timing in Two Louis Armstrong Solos (2002) Introduction (2002) Studies Of Tempo Using a Double Timing Paradigm (2007)
For children and young adults Which Musical Instrument Shall I Play? (1969) Inside Jazz (1973) The Great Jazz Artists (1977)
Fiction for children and young adults, by the Collier brothers The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974) – one of Newbery Medal runners-up; one of National Book Award finalists Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. Jump Ship to Freedom (1981) Who Is Carrie? (1984) War Comes to Willy Freeman (1987) Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. The Empty Mirror (2004)
American history series, by the Collier brothers Decision in Philadelphia (1987) The French and Indian War (1998) Slavery and the coming of the Civil War (2000) Progressivism, the Great Depression, and the New Deal (2001)
References
External links
Random House biography and works Collier and Collier Teacher Resource File James Lincoln Collier: Biography from Answers.com
Charles Williams at LC Authorities (no records) – a pseudonym used by Collier