Asbury Park: Where Music Lives, edited by Helen-Chantal Pike. Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation (March 6, 2011). 62 pages, illustrated.  Where Music Lives is a series of essays from 12 noted Shore musicians and two ardent music fans about the genres they know best: sacred, gospel, blues, ragtime, jazz, opera, musical theater, classical, folk, old-school and new-school rock, and the unique “sound of Asbury Park” known as S.O.A.P.  Also included are two essays about the latest music traditions that reflect a growing Latin and Caribbean culture in the city. “Their lyrics and rhythms are part of our collective soul,” writes award-winning author Helen-Chantal Pike in her introduction. “In Asbury Park are the sounds of America."

Dorian Parreott, Willie Mitchell and Rick Benjamin examine American roots music that formed Asbury Park's earliest music heritage. Veterans such as Sonny Kenn, Patsy Siciliano, and George Wirth write about the post-war influences that shaped their sound and lyrics. Organist Gladstone Trott writes about the versatility of an instrument that is found equally in bars and at the sides of baptismal fonts. Haitian vocalist Cassandra Momplaisir and Gee Guillen of Xol Azul Band explain why this East Coast city attracts musically talented immigrants looking for freedom of expression.  Rock blogger Jean Mikle, opera singer Brett Colby, and anthology editor Helen Pike present evidence that proves Asbury Park to be the undisputed music capital of the Jersey Shore.