Jazz [Paperback]

Paul O. Tanner (Author), David W. Megill (Author), Maurice Gerow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0697288072 | ISBN-13: 978-0697288073 | Publication Date: August 2, 1996 | Edition: 8

This outstanding introduction to the art of jazz -- and the art of listening to jazz -- offers eye-catching design, a conversational style, and broad scope to appeal to the widest audience. Helping readers make sense of changes in style and offering detailed listening guides that increase their musical pleasure, this book offers the total jazz experience from the African heritage to Ragtime and Dixieland through Swing, Bop, and Cool to Avant Garde, Latin Jazz, and Jazz Fusion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 8 edition (August 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0697288072
• ISBN-13: 978-0697288073
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,435,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Words from those who REALLY know, December 28, 2010

By 

B. Mann (Southwest United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz (Paperback)

Who would have the "chops" to write the definitive textbook on Jazz? How about a musician/composer/arranger who played with just about every Jazz great, with some notables being Glenn Miller and Tex Beneke? How about a man who has arranged, composed, and performed with everyone from A (Arturo Toscanini) to Z (Zubin Mehta)? Want more chops? How about the guy who invented (and played) a musical instrument (the electro-theremin or "Tannerin") that creates those wonderful weird glides you hear on the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" or the them song to My Favorite Martian? Experience not enough? How about academics: an author with both Masters and Doctorate degrees who became a Distinguished Professor at UCLA teaching about Jazz for over 20 years? The person with that experience, who definitely has the chops, is Paul Tanner, the lead author of this book.

I had the good fortune to be one of Dr. Tanner's students eons ago at UCLA. Beyond his ability to entertain was his ability to teach the principles, theory, and practice of Jazz, especially to non-musically inclined students. In his 90's today, according to IMDB, he still lectures writes.

Yes, Dr. Tanner and colleagues have the chops, and you can count on this book being the most definitive of its kind. The book is a textbook, to be sure -- meant to be used in conjunction with study, and priced as textbooks are priced, which ain't cheap. But because the online media lets you hear the topics not just read about them, I would recommend it for anyone with disposable income who is interested in the history of Jazz, understanding the different flavors of Jazz, and appreciating the musical tricks of the trade.

NOTE: While not necessary, I would recommend that you have a little knowledge of music to best enjoy the book. You don't need to be a music major, and you do NOT have to play an instrument or know how to read musical notation, but you will get a bit more out of the book if you are familiar with terms like 4/4, 2/4 and chord progressions.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book, October 23, 2010

By 

M.S.Banasik - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jazz (Paperback)

I love reading this, it puts Jazz into an understandable language and i love reading about the people in the Jazz world

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sender whoas...., October 12, 2009

By 

Elizabeth Jones - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jazz (10th Edition) (Paperback)

I think this is a great book with a lot of information on jazz, but the sender sent it to me in horrible condition. I paid for the book to be in "very good" condition and it was sent to me in a recycled envelope that was partially riped open. When I looked at the book, the pages were folded and the book looked beat up. I would not recommend using this sender at all.