It's hard to imagine a more complete coverage of the man and his music than what Ed Meyer has written.
Jersey Jazz, October 2010
This fine biography tells [John Kenneth Davern's] story with insightful affection and reinforces his important place in jazz history. The author knew him well, has researched extensively and interviewed all the key people who ... Read moreknew and worked with Kenny....The sturdily bound and clearly printed book has a full discography....The book seems especially appealing for Jazz Journal's core readers.
Jazz Journal
Homage to Davern recently appeared in the form of a fine biography....Meyer has done his homework thoroughly in preparing this study. In addition to that with Davern, he interviewed more than 50 musicians and others who worked with or knew the clarinetist well....Discographical information seems to be carefully compiled and is clearly presented. It is a valuable component of the book....This book is an excellent account of the life and music of a major jazz musician of the last half of the twentieth century. It should be of interest to all clarinetists who care about that genre of music.
The Clarinet
A thorough...outline of Davern's life, his playing priorities and aspirations and a clear-eyed look at his many recordings as sideman or leader. There's a complete discography and a good selection of photographs....Those who appreciated Davern as a good companion and consummate player will find much to enjoy here.
Jazz Uk
An interesting experience…. Ed Meyer has done his home work well, and the result is a book that yields a lot of information about Davern that was heretofore known only to a select few in his circle of family and close friends. While much of this information is surprising, some of it is stunning. Meyer has done nothing in his book to make some of the more eye-opening aspects of Davern's life sensationalized in any way. He simply presents the story of Davern's life and art in a straight forward, informed and informative manner, and done so in a highly readable volume that is the essence of what a good jazz biography should be…. This book helps greatly in putting the complete Kenny Davern into a proper perspective.
Jazz Inside Monthly
[This] is an exhaustively researched and very readable account that carries its subject from his earliest years to his final moments. Kenny Davern, who was born in 1935, was one of the most talented and respected jazz clarinetists of his time.… This is truly an estimable and thorough contribution to jazz historiography.
W. Royal Stokes Show Less