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Electric Fetus

A memoir about one mans journey to connect with his musician father, ultimately re-drawing the lines that define family and race.

Throughout his adult life, whether he was opening a Seattle record store in the 90s or touringthe world as the only non-white band member in alternative rock bands, Nabil Ayers felt the shadow and legacy of his fathers musical genius, and his race, everywhere.

In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina, chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers,fully expecting and agreeing that he would not be involved in the childs life. In this highly original memoir, their son, Nabil Ayers, recounts a life spent living with the aftermath of that decision, and his journey to build an identity of his own despite and in spite of his fathers absence.

Growing up, Nabil only meets his father a handful of times. But Roys influence is strong, showing itself in Nabils instinctual love of music, and later, in the music industryNabils chosen career path. By turns hopefulwanting to connect with the man who passed down his genetic predisposition for musical talentand frustrated with Roys continued emotional distance, Nabil struggles with how much DNA can define a family and a person.

Unable to fully connect with Roy, Nabil ultimately discovers the existence of several half-siblings as well as a paternal ancestor who was enslaved. Following these connections, Nabil meets and befriends the descendant of the plantation owner, which, strangely, paves the way for him to make meaningful connections with extended family he never knew existed.

Despite hisfathers absence, Nabil, through sheer will and a drive to understand his roots, re-draws the lines that define family and race.

A memoir about one mans journey to connect with his musician father, ultimately re-drawing the lines that define family and race.

Throughout his adult life, whether he was opening a Seattle record store in the 90s or touringthe world as the only non-white band member in alternative rock bands, Nabil Ayers felt the shadow and legacy of his fathers musical genius, and his race, everywhere.

In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina, chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers,fully expecting and agreeing that he would not be involved in the childs life. In this highly original memoir, their son, Nabil Ayers, recounts a life spent living with the aftermath of that decision, and his journey to build an identity of his own despite and in spite of his fathers absence.

Growing up, Nabil only meets his father a handful of times. But Roys influence is strong, showing itself in Nabils instinctual love of music, and later, in the music industryNabils chosen career path. By turns hopefulwanting to connect with the man who passed down his genetic predisposition for musical talentand frustrated with Roys continued emotional distance, Nabil struggles with how much DNA can define a family and a person.

Unable to fully connect with Roy, Nabil ultimately discovers the existence of several half-siblings as well as a paternal ancestor who was enslaved. Following these connections, Nabil meets and befriends the descendant of the plantation owner, which, strangely, paves the way for him to make meaningful connections with extended family he never knew existed.

Despite hisfathers absence, Nabil, through sheer will and a drive to understand his roots, re-draws the lines that define family and race.
9780593295960

Details

Format: Book
Rel. Date: 06/07/2022
UPC: 9780593295960

More Info:

A memoir about one mans journey to connect with his musician father, ultimately re-drawing the lines that define family and race.

Throughout his adult life, whether he was opening a Seattle record store in the 90s or touringthe world as the only non-white band member in alternative rock bands, Nabil Ayers felt the shadow and legacy of his fathers musical genius, and his race, everywhere.

In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina, chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers,fully expecting and agreeing that he would not be involved in the childs life. In this highly original memoir, their son, Nabil Ayers, recounts a life spent living with the aftermath of that decision, and his journey to build an identity of his own despite and in spite of his fathers absence.

Growing up, Nabil only meets his father a handful of times. But Roys influence is strong, showing itself in Nabils instinctual love of music, and later, in the music industryNabils chosen career path. By turns hopefulwanting to connect with the man who passed down his genetic predisposition for musical talentand frustrated with Roys continued emotional distance, Nabil struggles with how much DNA can define a family and a person.

Unable to fully connect with Roy, Nabil ultimately discovers the existence of several half-siblings as well as a paternal ancestor who was enslaved. Following these connections, Nabil meets and befriends the descendant of the plantation owner, which, strangely, paves the way for him to make meaningful connections with extended family he never knew existed.

Despite hisfathers absence, Nabil, through sheer will and a drive to understand his roots, re-draws the lines that define family and race.

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