Books
Gene was an award-winning and nominated author of several books, all of which can be purchased below.
Myself When I Am Real: The Life and Music of Charles Mingus
"Gene Santoro has grasped [Charles Mingus] whole… some passages suggest the hammering rhythms of a drum solo, others the sprawl of a Mingusian piano meditation… It is a stunning achievement." – Gary Giddins
Stir it Up: Musical Mixes from Roots to Jazz
"Gene Santoro is one of a still-rare breed among music writers and music lovers: He won't be held back or blindsided by genre… Santoro has something to say and he says it eloquently." – Robert Palmer
Dancing in Your Head: Jazz, Blues, Rock and Beyond
"Santoro's energy, interest in historical influences and metaphoric flair enlivens the entire collection." – The Nation
Highway 61 Revisited: The Tangled Roots of American Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll & Country
"Santoro… brings a clear prose style and unflagging enthusiasm to his coverage of a wide range of American music." – Los Angeles Daily News
The Guitar: The History, The Music, The Players by Allan Kozinn, Pete Welding, Dan Forte, and Gene Santoro
“Definitive, comprehensive, and lavishly illustrated, The Guitar is the ultimate book for players, collectors, and fans of the most popular instrument of our time.”