Devra Hall, author of “Men, Women, and Girl Singers” (a jazz biography), also writes profiles, features, book reviews, and liner notes for musical recordings. (In a past life she wrote a lot of computer books, too.)

In 2001 she went back to school to study the craft of Creative Nonfiction. During the two-year course of studies she finished a narrative nonfiction manuscript about The Sixth Grade Project at a Southern California elementary school. Five months of observation reveal an exciting, boisterous world - sometime edgy with personal politics or troubling with misplaced energy, sometimes sublime with altruism, but always full of the passion of motivated teachers.

Currently, Hall is writing a biography of Luther Henderson. Once known as Duke Ellington's "classical arm," he was also Lena Horne's musical director and the man behind the music of many Broadway shows including  Ain't Misbehavin', Jelly's Last Jam, Purlie, and many more. "Seeking Harmony: The Life and Music of Luther Henderson" will be published by Scarecrow Press.

Also underway is "Strollin': A Jazz Life Through John Levy's Personal Lens." John is a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, who, celebrating his 96th birthday in 2008, has lots of stories to share. This soft-cover coffee-table book, featuring photographs from John's personal albums with text by Devra Hall (who also happens to be Levy’s wife) celebrates his long life in jazz.

Research for other projects, including a memoir and a book about military music and American culture, are simmering on the back burner.

Devra Hall holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction (Goucher College, 2003), an MA in Education (1992), and was a curriculum consultant and lecturer at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. She was also on the faculty at Glendale Community College. She lives in Altadena, CA with her husband, John Levy.