In honor of October being National Italian American month, I am starting my book blog with this amazing biography, Solid Brass – The Leonard Falcone Story, by Rita Griffin Comstock. Although I do not, as far as I know, have any ancestors who immigrated to the United States from Italy, members of my family did arrive here from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. This story is mythic in the human truths it expresses of one man’s journey and his continuing legacy.

Published a little over a year ago, I received my copy the day Hurricane Irene hit Richmond, VA, and all our power went out.

Because the author is a life-long friend of mine, I decided to attempt to at least get into it that evening, reading it by mini-flashlight. What I did not expect was to continue reading it throughout the night during the brunt of the storm, and to get so caught up in the story that I forgot to even worry about whether or not the roof blew off. This is huge for me, because so many biographies I have read or attempted to read have been dry, or pedantic, or just plain boring. Solid Brass avoids all those pitfalls, with incredible pacing and storytelling that continually engages The Reader, who comes to deeply care for this man and his life and work.

In short, Solid Brass is a heart-felt, gorgeous, and riveting biography that I would highly recommend as required reading for anyone:

  • contemplating writing a biography
  • who has ancestors from a foreign shore
  • with an appreciation for music
  • wants a good read

From the website: http://www.leonardfalcone.com (purchase it here)

Please note: Use above site to purchase. Amazon lists only indy booksellers with prices more than 2 1/2 times the retail price.

Solid Brass by Rita Griffin Comstock

Solid Brass is the story of Leonard Falcone, whose journey to America from Italy through Ellis Island at age 16 led to one of the most unlikely and inspirational stories in the history of the American Band Movement. Recognized in his lifetime as the world’s greatest euphonium virtuoso, Falcone was Director of Bands at Michigan State University for 40 years, and through his leadership, discipline and musicianship, helped to establish a national reputation for the MSU Department of Music and Spartan Marching Band. Following his retirement as Director of Bands in 1966, he served the university for an additional 17 years as Professor of Low Brass.

Drawing from a myriad of sources, Rita Comstock’s insightful biography chronicles Falcone’s remarkable life, including his early years growing up in culturally rich Roseto Valfortore, Italy, his success as a silent movie theater musician, the music department challenges during the Depression and war years, the two Rose Bowl trips via private rail car courtesy of Oldsmobile, performing with the Michigan State Band for four sitting presidents, and his special relationship with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where he would spend his final summers conducting and working with young students.

Through it all, Leonard Falcone’s greatest legacy was the example he set as a man of honesty and integrity, who valued his family, his adopted country, and the importance of striving for excellence.