News Release
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May 22, 2006
Gene Harris Book 'Elegant Soul' Wins Silver Award in Book of
the Year Competition
A book about the life of the late jazz piano great Gene Harris, co-written
by his wife and a fellow author from Boise State University, was named the
winner of a Silver award in the Music Category of ForeWord magazine’s 2005
Book of the Year Awards.
Boise jazz impresario Janie Harris, host of the Boise State Radio show “Jazz
Straight Ahead,” and Bob Evancho, Boise State’s associate director of
communications, co-wrote “Elegant Soul: The Life and Music of Gene Harris,”
which received the award during a special ceremony at Book Expo America in
Washington, D.C., last Friday.
ForeWord magazine established the program in 1998 to recognize quality books
published by independent and university presses. This year more than 1,500
titles were submitted in 55 fiction and nonfiction categories. Gold, Silver,
and Bronze awards were given in the categories.
“Elegant Soul,” which was published by Caxton Press of Caldwell in 2005, is
the biography of the late jazz piano great. The book was designed by Chris
Latter, a former Boise State graphic designer and the communications officer
for the JA and Kathryn Albertson Foundation in Boise.
In the book, Janie Harris shares many moments of her 21 years with Gene
Harris before he died of kidney failure in their Boise home in January 2000.
Considered one of the top jazz pianists in the world, Gene Harris lived in
Boise the last 23 years of his life. “Elegant Soul” is the late pianist’s
life story told through the words of Janie Harris, who worked as her
husband’s manager and constant companion during his worldwide travels as one
of the top entertainers in jazz.
ForeWord is a prominent trade publication that covers the independent
publishing industry. A jury of librarians, booksellers, editors and
reviewers were selected to judge the categories for entry. Finalists and
winners were selected based on editorial excellence and professional
production, as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the
book adds to its genre.
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Contact: Janie Harris (208) 345-6220;
Rhonda4299@aol.com; Bob
Evancho (208) 426-1643;
bevanch@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Communications, (208) 426-5540;
jhahn@boisestate.edu
May is “Return to Learn” month at Boise State University. “Return to Learn” is a campuswide effort to provide information for those who may be considering taking classes from the university and help them learn about the best options for returning to school and earning a degree. For more information call (208) 562-3127 or click returntolearn.boisestate.edu.
The Office of Communications and Marketing
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Boise State University
1910 University Drive -
Education Building, #726 -
Boise Idaho 83725-1030
208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001
email communications@boisestate.edu
Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007