ORPHEUS’ BLUES is a novel of self-discovery. We first meetJack Stewart on his way back to his apartment in New York City, where he ispursuing a career as a jazz musician.
As the novel unfolds, we learn of the difficulties heencounters, of the friendship he develops with George, his roommate—also a jazzmusician—and the women he meets in the city. But more importantly, we learn ofthe very close relationship he has with his mother, who writes to him regularlyfrom Southern Virginia. Through these letters and series of flashbacks , wecome to understand Jack’s background, the stifling environment he left behind,and his father’s resentment and disappointment that he did not take up thefamily business.
But it is Hans, proprietor of The Empty Hand, philosopher and benefactor of every artist, whoholds the novel together. It is from him that Jack receives those words ofwisdom and encouragement so necessary for every artist.
At the end of the novel, when Jack believes that he has madesense of it all, everything unravels. It is then that he must travel back toVirginia to face his father, his former friends and his unresolved past.
Praise and Reviews
From the security of a comfortable life in Oak Grove, Virginia to the
razor cold streets of New York City, Jack Stewart is bound and
determined to pursue a career as a jazz musician - against all odds.
When he returns home from a tour of duty in Nam, all that life asks of
him is that he settle down and carry on the successful family business.
Why would anyone who could have it so easy cast their fate to the brutal
winds of such an uncertain livilihood as a jazz musician in New York
City? There is more to this story by Carlos Rubio than Young man from
hometown America sets out to become a jazz musician. In the way that
Dizzy Gillespie "like a majestic bird in flight" blows his magic horn
and he is suddenly the indisputed center of the universe; from the
bottom of his heart to the mouthpiece of his tenor sax, Jack has no
doubt that music will deliver him. With Hans (a gothic cathedral of a
man in the woof and warp world of jazz), the owner of the Jazz club
Empty Hand as his mentor, beautiful woman at the snap of his fingers,
some of the greatest jazz musicians of the day on a first name basis
with Jack as his inspiration, and the jazz epicenter of Greenwich
Village as his stage, you would think that Jack Stewart had arrived.
Deliverance, however, comes with a price tag. If you have a tall
mountain to climb, or a vast valley to cross, or a tenor sax you desire
to master, then this book is a must to read. This is a users guide for
those of us who prefer center stage to going through life sitting in the
cheap seats in the back row. And for those of you whose only request
from life is a good book to read, then this is your lucky day.
Alan Hodgkinson
Author of After Incoming
Step into the little known world of struggling artists, musicians and
writers. This novel of a man's self discovery takes us through close
relationships and a troubled past. The author vividly immerses us in
the culture and lifestyle found in the Empty Hand, a nightclub whose
after hours camaraderie fostered by Hans, their benefactor and
philosopher, who holds them, and the novel, together. This is a very
well written and descriptive novel that lets you feel the comfort and
joy, the frustration and hope of a section of our society few know
about. For anyone who has the artist within them, this is one you don't
want to miss.
B. Boren
Carlos Rubio captures the struggle of a young artist and the feel of New
York City's jazz world. His vivid descriptions brings the sights and
sounds of a village night club to the reader to the point of hearing the
soulful music and smelling the smokey Empty Hand Cafe. Jack Stewart,
the main character, struggles with fullfilling his dreams against all
odds. Along the way the importance of mentors, friends, sacrifices, and
believing in oneself are interwoven in the theme. This story will be
enjoyed by all.
C. Flippen
