HALF-BLOOD BLUES by Esi Edugyan

The story of the Jews in the Holocaust is an all too familiar and terrible one.  In 'Half-Blood Blues', Esi Edugyan tells the story of a lesser known but equally persecuted people.  The Hot Time Swingers was a jazz band in Germany in the 1930's.  The members of the band - African Americans from Baltimore, Germans, Jews and a mixed race (mischling) German bond over their love of Jazz.  As this type of music becomes banned in Germany, it becomes dangerous for the musicians to remain there.  One by one, they are arrested or abandon the band for their own safety.  The two Americans and the young black German escape to Paris where they have the opportunity to meet and record music with the great Louis Armstrong.  He immediately recognizes the genius of Hiero, the 19 year old trumpet player.  When the invasion of Paris becomes imminent, the three must find a way to escape.

This book travels back and forth between 1930's Europe and present-day Baltimore, where Sid and Chip now reside.  Hiero's music exists only in a 3 1/2 minute recording.  It is so brilliant that he has a large group of followers.  A documentary is made and Sid and Chip travel back to Europe for the premiere.

The book is told through the eyes of Sid.  Sid is a talented musician - not an inspired one.  Against the backdrop of Europe in the '30's and early '40's he relates the story of the band, their struggles, envy, jealousy, fear and eventually, possibly, redemption.

Hot Blood Blues was shortlisted for nearly every major book award - eventually taking home the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize.  Well deserved!