THE GOLDEN JONAHS, A reality/fiction/music/romance epic that chronicles the American jazz scene from 1900 New Orleans, to Chicago, then on to New York, featuring the "Big Band Swing Era" of the 30s and 40s. It details a succession of, tragic, heartrending love affairs throughout the lifetimes of three talented musicians who each are plagued by a "Jonah" curse. Famed cornet player, DIXIE HARTE, along with friend and mentor, SHADOW MANION, a prototype of HOAGY CARMICHAEL, enliven the New Orleans jazz scene in the early 1900s. Dixie's romance with gorgeous Cajun Belle, MARIA LeCAIRE, ends with her death during childbirth. The ravishing actress, NITA MORGAN, is slain by a jealous husband. In 1930, Dixie is summoned to New York, in 1930, by renowned bandleader, PAUL WHITEMAN, to replace alcoholic horn man, BIX BEIDERBECKE. Enroute, Dixie is killed in an automobile wreck. Dixie had often referred to himself as a "JONAH," one who is cursed and/or bears ill will to others. Dixie's reincarnation, DANNY O'NEAL, is born a year later. As a promising young trumpet player, in love with the bewitching beauty, BECKY MARTIN, Danny is sent to Korea in 1950 and, later, reported killed.
As a prisoner of war he contracts the dread beriberi disease. Upon his return home, he discovers that his precious Becky has bore him a son, DANNY O'NEAL JR., but, also, has remarried. When Danny's death is eminent, he arranges to be hypnotically retrogressed back to the year 1930, to the bedside of dying Dixie Harte, in an attempt to re-enter and assume the life of his previous entity. The revived Dixie Harte, has no memory of his previous lives As a featured trumpet player. Dixie, along with his beautiful wife, talented vocalist, KATHY KAY, and lifelong friend, SHADOW MANION, co-mingle with famous bandleaders, musicians, and celebrities of the "Big Band, Swing Era". Dixie's untimely demise, on a disastrous plane flight from London to Paris in 1944, also claims the life of famous orchestra leader, GLENN MILLER. DIXIE'S wife, KATHY, goes on to a prominent movie career, while his son, DIXIE HARTE JR., inherits his father's trumpet talent, in addition to the "JONAH" curse. Ed Starkey, the author of nine novels and thirty-six books of poetry, is an accomplished storyteller.
Both the stirring love sequences and his knowledge of the "Big Band Swing Era" are aptly manifested in this poignant tale.
