Roberta Leslie Gourse (January 1, 1939 – December 23, 2004) was an American writer and biographer who was a prolific writer on jazz music and musicians.[1] In 1991, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awarded her the Deems Taylor Award for a series of seven articles in the magazine JazzTimes focusing on female jazz musicians.[2]

Gourse was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Harva Zelda Fisher Gourse and Harry Andrew Gourse.[3] She attended Columbia University. Shortly after her graduation in 1960, Gourse published her first novel, With Gall and Honey, a romantic novel set in Israel. Gourse wrote several books for children, and many biographies of notable jazz musicians.[1]

Gourse died as a result of respiratory problems in 2004.[1]

Bibliography

Library resources about
Leslie Gourse
By Leslie Gourse
On Jazz
Books on jazz for children and young people

References

  1. ^ a b c "Leslie Gourse, 65, Biographer of Jazz Artists". The New York Times. January 5, 2005.
  2. ^ "Leslie Gourse Dies at 65; Biographer of Jazz Greats". The Washington Post. December 31, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  3. ^ "Zelda Fisher Gourse". Find A Grave. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
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