In the same vein as the films Mr. Holland's Opus and Music of the Heart, the novella, "The Comisario's Band" is a feel good and inspiring tale about people who walk through strong adversity and come out on the other side as better musicians-and as better people.
Set primarily in Mexico, the book tells the story of Severo Lopez, the Mexican Police Chief ("Comisario") of a small village in Mexico, who for several months holds four down and out American jazz musicians prisoner in the hopes that they will agree to teach their craft to the town's musically gifted young teenagers. The quartet eventually learns that the "Comisario" intends to convince them into fulfilling his seemingly ridiculous personal dream of creating an American styled Big Band. Along the way, relationships are formed and fractured and they all learn that that music not only feeds the soul, but can also teach other important life skills.
The story, which alternates between present day and flash backs, includes a varied and well written cast of characters that immediately draws the reader in. While reading the book, I became emotionally invested in Frank, Morey, Charley and Scat's journey; and the love story that Lopez shared with his true love Margaret is heart renching and provides the reader with a better understand of the motivation behind the Police Chief's bizarre requests of the four Maestros.
The author's intended audience appears to be both Young Adult and American & Mexican musicians, however; though it includes mild profanity, references to violence and some sexual situations, the story is inviting enough to cross all generational and cultural lines.
You don't have to be a lover of music for this moving and inspiring novella to hit all of the right notes. This one will make you smile from the heart.
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