JAZZ; ; History, Instruments, Musicians, Recordings

Briefly traces the history of jazz, profiles important musicians and movements, looks at how jazz instruments are played, and describes influential albums

Fodham, British jazz critic for the Guardian and author of Let's Join Hands and Contact the Living , here presents a lively visual overview of jazz history. Along with hundreds of photos, time charts and other illustrations, the book covers jazz through the 1990s and offers ample descriptions of jazz instruments--voice, strings, drums and woodwinds--and musical techniques--melody, composing, dance roots and improvisation. Fodham highlights more than 250 classic jazz recordings, providing brief commentary along with a picture of each album cover. Informative biographical sketches celebrate 20 jazz greats, including Billie Holiday, Jelly Roll Morton, Lester Young and Ornette Coleman.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Fordham, jazz correspondent for the Guardian , attempts to provide a comprehensive guide to the history, instruments, musicians, and recordings of jazz. In discrete, beautifully illustrated sections, he begins with a sketchy but interesting history of jazz from its inception to the current scene. The author continues with an overview of the techniques involved in playing more than a dozen instruments. He also includes one- and two-page biographies of 20 jazz greats; descriptions of harmony, rhythm, and jazz dance; and an occasionally arbitrary compendium of classic recordings. Though distinguished by its many color photos, Jazz provides only cursory treatment of the many complex topics it tackles. For large music collections.
- David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.