The Jazz Man

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The Jazz Man is a children’s book by Mary Hays Weik, with drawings by Ann Grifalconi. It was published in 1966 and won a Newbery Honor the following year. A later edition came out in 1993, and the book has also been published in Germany and South Africa.

Plot in simple terms
Zeke is a nine-year-old boy who lives with his parents on the top floor of a Harlem brownstone. One leg is shorter than the other, and he often skips school because kids tease him. He spends a lot of time looking out windows, especially one apartment whose door is always closed. A man with a piano moves in—the Jazz Man. He and his friends play music all day and night, and the music helps Zeke’s mother forget her tiredness and worries about paying the rent. Zeke’s father is unemployed, and the Jazz Man’s music brings some happiness to the family.

As summer ends, troubles grow. Zeke’s mother becomes stricter and finally leaves home, and his father has to take care of everything but struggles to provide food and stability. People in the building can tell that something is wrong. Zeke tells his neighbors that his mother has gone to visit a wealthy aunt, but they sense the truth.

One day Zeke looks across the courtyard and sees the Jazz Man at a big party with his musician friends. It feels real, but then Zeke wakes up and realizes he has been dreaming. In the end, he is with his mother and father, listening to the Jazz Man from their own window.

Characters
- Zeke: A nine-year-old boy who loves listening to the Jazz Man.
- Zeke’s mother: Works long hours and often comes home tired.
- Zeke’s father: Unemployed and tries to hold the family together.
- The Jazz Man and his musician friends: Tony (trumpet), Ernie (saxophone), and Manuel (drums).
- Neighbors and people around the courtyard: Mrs. Dowdy, Lispie, and Old Bill, among others.

Reception
The Jazz Man was widely praised for its evocative writing and especially its woodcut illustrations. It was named one of The New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year in 1966. Critics noted that the book captures the feel of the city and the hardships faced by its residents, with some seeing a touch of dream-like depth in the ending. Some reviews were more mixed, suggesting the book could have done more with its message, but overall it is appreciated for its honest portrayal of life in a disadvantaged urban setting.