JAM

Goldsher makes his debut with a musical buddy novel that traces the path of a Chicago drummer named Frank Craft, who forms a successful group with his childhood best friend, a talented multi-instrumentalist named James Justus. The two friends start out as a bebop duo before expanding into a quartet that takes off in the mid-1990s when Justus comes up with the idea of jazzing up some mainstream rock songs, a concept that makes them instantly attractive to Chicago club owners. From there they draw the attention of a sleazy major-label rep who recognizes Justus's star power and imports a couple of egotistical horn players to help recreate the band as a jazz-tinged pop outfit. Their first album includes an instant hit that puts them on the video playlist, and soon Craft and Justice find themselves living the high life when they go on tour. But the band quickly disintegrates in a clash of egos when the horn players sabotage the drummer, and Justus, rechristened "Jam" by the label to match the band's new moniker, becomes infatuated with his newfound stardom. Goldsher is an engaging if somewhat mawkish storyteller who knows the music business and the details of life as a jazz musician, and he creates a lively and interesting band of characters. But his central premise—that a jazz band could travel the kind of rock 'n' roll rags-to-riches road he creates—is problematic at best, and his tendency to fall into genre clichés while overexplaining some of the musical scenes is compounded by a self-absorbed, unlikable narrator. Overall, however, Goldsher manages to overcome these flaws with sheer storytelling skill, and his book should satisfy jazz fans looking for a feel-good musical fairy tale. (Jan.)

FYI:Goldsher is a respected bassist who's recorded with artists like Janet Jackson and Naughty by Nature.