James “Plunky” Branch •
ISBN: 978-1-887276-45-0 • $ 24.95
Plunky: Juju Jazz Funk & Oneness is an overnight success story 50 years in the making. It documents James Plunky Branch’s career in music and arts activism, and delivers his memoir as a straight forward recollection of anecdotes, journals, and photographs. Not a standard sex, drugs and rock & roll exposé, this is an insider’s look behind the scenes of the independent Black jazz and soul music business and Plunky’s philosophies and methodologies that allowed him to persevere and come out on top.
Reading his book, it is evident that Plunky seeks and imparts wisdom through music, and is relentless in his pursuit of new way to elevate our collective consciousness.”
– Pharoah Sanders, saxophonist
Plunky’s autobiography is a blueprint for the next generations to use to prepare to take up the banner.”
– B. J. Brown, Executive Director, Richmond Jazz Society
Branch’s memoir is at once a backstage pass, a road diary, and a rich archive of an extraordinary life in music. Peripatetic, bold-voiced and wise, Plunky is a polyrhythmic excursion through the full range of black diasporic music, from avant garde jazz to funk, from R&B to African percussion.”
– Brent Hayes Edwards, Professor of Jazz Studies, Columbia University
J. Plunky Branch began his music career while attending Columbia University in New York City in 1967. He moved to San Francisco during the tumultuous 1970’s and established his African avant-garde group, Juju. Migrating back to NY Plunky began working with free jazz pioneers Ornette Coleman, Pharaoh Sanders, Sam Rivers and artists on the Strata-East Record label. For the next several years, Plunky & Oneness of Juju, would continue to evolve, occasionally touring in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. A studio musician, record producer, writer of over 400 songs, and documentary film producer, Branch has released over 35 albums through his independent record companies. (Contact the author: plunkyb@aol.com)
