"The natural tone of Nicky Gentil's richly anecdotal narrative will delight not only pianists and jazz enthusiasts but anyone who just happens to like pianos in general." - Cadence Info Magazine
A collection of humorous, touching, unputdownable stories set in Paris,
The Jazz-Girl, the Piano, and the Dedicated Tuner
transports you into a feel-good world of jazz, pianos and the little-known art of piano tuning. An entertaining slice of life, regardless of whether or not you play a musical instrument, this book explores the world of Nina Somerville, an Englishwoman who - while others are going through a mid-life crisis - discovers by complete chance her true calling: jazz improvisation. In a bid to enjoy that passion to the full, she purchases the piano of her dreams - a Steinway baby grand - leading her to make yet another discovery: the intricate mysteries of the fascinating piano tuning profession.
Against the backdrop of the Eiffel tower and the Champs-Élysées, from the quest for the perfect sound to an unexpected chance to perform in public, music takes Nina on a journey which is at times improbable and hilarious, but equally moving, not to mention extremely informative.
Previously published in France,
The Jazz-Girl
has been greatly received, and has the interesting addition of being musically illustrated on the author's YouTube channel with some characters playing pieces alluded to in the stories.