About the Authors

Hans Offringa studied English literature, business journalism and electronic media. He is a well-known Dutch author, media expert, and whisky connoisseur. Bilingual, he writes in Dutch and in English. His works include three novels, a historical book and dvd about the raising of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, a series of comical drawing books and, 15 books on whisky, including The Road to Craigellachie, The Legend of Laphroaig, A Taste of Whisky, and Whisky & Jazz. Hans  contributes to various (whisky) magazines and whisky websites around the globe and has been producing mini documentaries for singlemalt.tv since its inception. With his wife, Becky, he gives whisky presentations in Europe and the USA under the name The Whisky Couple. Under this nom de plûme they write a regular column for The Charleston Mercury.

 

 

 

Gijs Dragt is a graphic designer, painter, and photographer. In 1984 he graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts in Kampen and started his career as a designer at Premsela & Vonk in Amsterdam. After two years he established himself as a self-employed visual artist in Zwolle. Over the past 25 years he has designed an impressive series of books for museums and visual artists. He has also designed five cooking books for the most famous Dutch three-Michelin-star restaurant, Librije. Dragt’s work is characterized by personal color combinations, free space, and typographical elements that have been applied as images rather than as functional text. Whisky and Jazz is one of many books he has created with whisky expert Hans Offring.

 

 

 

Jack McCray is a jazz historian, writer, researcher, and producer based in Charleston, S.C. For 30 years he has written features, reviews, and columns, including 25 years at The Post and Courier. He has created jazz bands such as the Franklin Street Five and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. For radio, he has produced and hosted Wednesday Evening Jam Session, Roots Music Karamu, and Southern Roots New Offshoots, all for SCETV Radio (NPR affiliate). Jack attempts to present words and ideas in a clear, resonant style that meaningfully imparts information. His publications include Charleston Jazz (Arcadia 2007), Charleston: A Cradle of Jazz (CJI 2006), and Lowcountry Heritage Society.

 

 

 

Whisky & Jazz

Written by Hans Offringa
Photography & design by Gjis Dragt · Jazz expert, Jack McCray
Non-fiction · 208 pages
$39.95 · ISBN: 978-0-615-28155-1



According to Artie Shaw, “Jazz was born in a whisky barrel …” — a perfect quotation for a book like this in which Hans Offringa ingeniously connects 10 famous jazz musicians with 10 excellent single malt whiskies. The result is a collection of 10 unique blends, each carrying a blue note as well as a tasting note, presented in a “sippin’ and tasting guide.”

The historical context in which jazz and whisky are placed makes this a publication that will appeal not only to whisky aficionados but also to those who love history and (jazz)music. The stunning four-color photographs were shot by award-winning artist Gijs Dragt of the Netherlands, who also designed the book. Charlestonian jazz writer Jack McCray served as the book’s contributing editor.

This book is a perfect gift for readers who enjoy the finer things in life.

 

Praise for Whisky & Jazz

Hans Offringa offers here a swingin’ look at two of the world’s hippest crafts–improvisational music and whisky-making–alone and together. It does mean a thing (or two) because it has that swing.
~ Jack McCray, Jazz historian

Jazz is not background music; it sets the mood, it opens the mind. A glass of malt does the same. So does this book. Thanks Hans!
~ Dave Broom, Whisky journalist

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