Faber buys Marmot's debut on transformation of jazz

Faber is publishing a book by music agent André Marmot, Unapologetic Expression, about how jazz has regenerated its image over the last 25 years. 

World all-languages rights were acquired by Alexa von Hirshberg, formerly editorial director at Faber, from Becky Thomas at Lewinsohn Literary. Mo Hafeez, commissioning editor, has taken on the book. 

The blurb reads: “How has UK jazz regenerated its image so totally in 25 years? And how did it ever become uncool in the first place? 

“Reaching back to the roots of jazz as the ‘unapologetic expression’ of oppressed peoples, shaped by the forces of slavery, imperialism and globalisation, André Marmot places this new wave within the wider context of a divided, postcolonial Britain navigating its identity in a new world order.” 

Drawing upon 84 interviews including Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia and Gilles Peterson among others, Unapologetic Expression “captures the radical spirit of a vital British musical movement”, Faber said. 

Marmot is an agent at Earth Agency in London, specialising in the links between African, jazz and global electronic music. Active professionally in music since 2007 as agent, musician, promoter and label owner, Unapologetic Expression is his debut.