From the pages of such notable publications as Downbeat, Swing Music, Saturday Evening Post, and Fortune comes a collection of essays that truly illustrates the birth, adolescence, and maturation of jazz -- one of the most influential contributions to the musical world. Focusing on the roots of jazz, the writers of these pieces pinpoint sources in pre-Bach works such as classical harpsichord music as well as within the evolution of modern blues. But more than just as a point of style, the authors applaud the men and women who raised jazz from its infancy. They are the grandparents of modern jazz with names as familiar as their music, from 'King' Oliver to 'Jelly Rol' Morton to Billie Holiday. Their beginnings and influences are examined as well the art form itself. First compiled in 1947, this book remains the premier study of jazz. Its insightful articles are still timely today, and new essays have been added with each successive edition to strengthen the book's assortment of jazz-related writings.
For scholarly research as well as personal curiosity, no other collection offers the breadth of this compilation, which features notable authors such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Frank Norris.