Chicago saxophonist, educator and author, Eric Allen has set aside gigging for a while to focus on his writing, a perfect occupation for this stay at home dad. His new book, “50 Years At The Village Vanguard: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra” is the first illustrated history of what Eric calls “the most influential big band in modern jazz.”

Eric and his co-author, Dave Lisik, compiled a fascinating collection of interviews and pictures, which illustrate the creation and history of this great band.