In the company of men

I picked up a book in our public library in hopes that I would learn a little bit more about Duke Ellington (since my African American history is abysmal). It didn't turn out to be much of a history source on Ellington, but it did provide significant insight into that era, through the eyes of a little girl, reflecting on her childhood among great jazz musicians:

i remember
i was there
i listened in the company of men . . .
children growing in the company of men
old southern men & young slick ones

It seems that one of the striking features of that time is that children grew up "in the company of men." For these historical insights, and the excellent illustrations, I recommend this book.