Twelve Bar Blues is a 2001

2001 in literature

The year 2001 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The film version of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic book, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, is released to movie theaters...

 novel by Patrick Neate

Patrick Neate

Patrick Neate is an award-winning British novelist, journalist, poet, screenwriter and podcaster.-Early life:Born and raised as a Roman Catholic in South London, he was educated at St. Paul's School and Cambridge University. He spent a gap year in Zimbabwe and has since returned to Africa on many...

, and the winner of that year's Whitbread

2001 Whitbread Awards

2001 was the first year that a book in the children's category was chosen as book of the year.-Children's Book:Winner:*Philip Pullman, The Amber SpyglassShortlist:*Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl*Eva Ibbotson, Journey to the River Sea...

 novel award.

The story is essentially about two people who share a common history - Fortis 'Lick' Holden, a cornet player in early 20th Century New Orleans, and Sylvia Di Napoli, a retired prostitute living in modern day London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, who is searching for her ancestry.