Jazz [Hardcover]

John Fordham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1993

This encyclopedia covers jazz history, instruments, musicians, techniques and recordings. Featuring over 1,000 photographs, it sets out to be both informative and entertaining. Collectors should be interested in the special guide to the top 250 classic jazz recordings. Dance lovers can track the development of jazz dance from the mambo to lindyhopping. The book also includes profiles of jazz musicians of the last 100 years and illustrated timecharts which document the evolution of jazz. Contents include profiles of jazz greats such as Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Art Blakey, John Coltrone and Keith Jarrett.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.

From Library Journal

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st American ed edition (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564582981
• ISBN-13: 978-1564582980
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the best introduction to jazz, January 18, 2002

By 

Michael Dotson "buried alive in discs" (Beijing) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz (Hardcover)

I spent most of my liesure time & all of my discretionary funds for about 20 years trying to hear as much of jazz history as possible. I hosted a public radio jazz program for 18 of those years. I bought a copy of this book to lend to friends who ask me how to begin learning about jazz. It walks thru all the instruments & all the styles, & describes a fine initial library of CDs.

One small caveat: Fordham is British & has a slightly higher opinion of British jazz in general than American critics have. I love John Surman & Mike Westbrook & Tony Oxley & their fellows, but I automatically deduct half a star (figuratively speaking) from Fordham's reviews of his countrymen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trumpeter's Appraisal, June 16, 2000

By 

"wallaced" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz (Hardcover)

While this book is very well illustrated and contains much information, there are many key jazz trumpeters who are missing. Some that come to mind are Harry James, Doc Severnson, Leon Merian, Al Hirt, Arturo Sandoval (who Dizzy Gillespie sponsored when he requested political asylum from Cuba while on tour), and Maynard Ferguson. While there is a page on Bix Beiderbecke in chapter 3, he is the only white player in the entire chapter. There are many good white and Latino trumpet players.

In fact, Leon Merian was well ahead of his time. He was the first white trumpet player playing with a black band and had to sleep on the bus because he wasn't allowed in the black hotels. Unfortunately, segregation worked both ways. Unlike Bix, Leon is still playing strong at 75, is active in the industry (patented Jet-Tone mouthpieces), conducts clinics for trumpet players, and is an active member of the International Trumpet Guild.

Probably the best trumpet player of all time received only short notice--Wynton Marsalis. Perhaps because he is so young? To not include him as a jazz giant is overlooking his awesome abilities. Hopefully, Mr. Fordham is writing a complete book on just Mr. Marsalis--a truly remarkable, gifted, and generous trumpeter.

This is still a great book, there is just another one out there that Mr. Fordham can write to include the rest of the trumpet greats.

The chapter on the instruments is outstanding. It is both accurate and well illustrated.

I definately recommend this book as an essential element of a good jazz library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All around jazz!, September 27, 2006

By 

Lynn Harnett (Marathon, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz (Hardcover)

This is a colorful, almost frenetically designed overview which touches on all aspects of jazz from its history to an anatomy of individual instruments and a discussion of techniques.

Of particular interest are the short biographies of 20 jazz greats and a discography. Among those profiled are Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Each bio includes a performance photo of the artist and a box showing key recordings, musical partners and styles. The discography is arranged by musical style from early singers to swing, bebop, modal jazz and fusion.

An excellent introduction and reference.