Customer Reviews

Paris Jazz, A Guide: From the Jazz Age to the Present

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paris Jazz is a concise, well-written read for anyone who loves jazz and Paris. Of particular interest to me was the maps as well as addresses detailing where present day jazz venues may be found. I thought the vintage photos sprinkled throughout the book were a great accompaniment to the histories of storied jazz personalities and their haunts. Also loved the very cool cover design! Deborah Gerwig Powell

Let me start by saying I really liked this book. The stories are great and I actually did use this to explore the old and new jazz sites when I was in Paris last week. The only reason I'm not giving it the final star is because I would have preferred a paperback version: it's easier to carry and I don't feel bad about marking the book up or folding down pages. Please print a cheaper paperback version!

I've never been to Paris but am a big jazz fan. Although I have only heard of some of the sites (like the Folies Bergere), I had a good time reading about the history of jazz in Paris and all the crazy anedcotes that Luke Miner includes in the book. If I ever make it to Paris I'll definitely take this along, but in the meantime it makes for a really entertaining read.

a wonderful little book, almost like a minature encyclopedia of information that is easily available, well presented and designed and I love it.

I would think most jazz fans would have at least some idea of the significance of Paris in the history of jazz, if for no other reason than the number of albums that have been cut there or reference the city in the title. "Paris Jazz: A Guide" does a great job showing just how important Paris has truly been. Organized as a guide to the locations of current and former jazz *caves* in the City of Light, and related points of interest, "Paris Jazz" is also a quick and easily-accessible pocket history of the title subject, from the days of the earliest performances by American soldiers -- mainly African-Americans -- during and after the first world war, until today. A list of a couple dozen recommended recordings, relevant to the text, and a listing of contemporary (if less historic) jazz venues rounds out the slim but info-packed pages. I can definitely see this as a one of a handful of guidebooks worth taking with you to Paris, as well as a worthwhile reference to keep handy at home.