Raise up off me Book

Perhaps this and Straight Life by Art Pepper are the most brutally honest and entertaining autobiographies ever written, (coincidentally both were jazz musicians that came out of the L.A. central avenue Bebop scene in the 40's). But Hawes' book is a bit more heartfelt, and his story is absolutely crammed with incredible global imagry, spanning from his L.A. roots, to Japan, to Europe,
to various prisons. The book includes a shocking presidential pardon by John F. Kennedy when Hawes was incarcerated unjustly for heroin abuse, and even a nervous breakdown by Hawes where he stripped down naked in the middle of a house party in London! Most importanlty, Hawes is certainly the most down-to-earth philosopher when it comes to the many tough-luck realities of the Jazz lifestyle, never coming off in a complaining, woeful way, he always seems optimistic and prepared for whatever curveballs the future may have in store for him. It's an inspiring and quick-paced, liquid read.