The History of Jazz

Rating:
Summary: Among my top five of Jazz Books
Review: I have a reasonable library of jazz books (including The Horn by JC Holmes, American Musicians by Whitney Balliett, Reading Jazz by Gottlieb, etc, etc) but my top five are HEAR ME TALKIN' TO YA by Hentoff and Shapiro; FOUR LIVES IN THE BEBOP BUSINESS by A.B. Spellman; STRAIGHT LIFE by Art and Laurie Pepper; THE STORY OF JAZZ by Marshall Stearns; and AS SERIOUS AS YOUR LIFE by Val Wilmer. What do I want in a jazz book? I want information, authenticity, entertainment; and decent writing. Now I have to move Mr Stearns over to make way for Mr Gioia and his HISTORY OF JAZZ for I believe it deserves to be in that exalted company.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: If I didn't already say it in the last review, a casual listener to jazz will enjoy this as much as anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Survey of Jazz
Review: Is there any other book that is as true as this book, when recalling the intricate history of jazz? If there is, it has escaped my eyes and i invite the opurtunity to read it. Ted Gioia is not only articulate in his representation of jazz history, but his facts are documented well above reproach. He even includes a suggested listening section at the back of the book. Incredible book! I am using it as an aid in teaching my highschool class the history of jazz. This book is a necessary investment for any jazz afficianado.

Rating:
Summary: more jazz
Review: my interst is in buyng dvd in ntsc about jazz orch, singers , big band's -40's 5o's such as benny goodmsan, artie shaw. count basie ,les paul, dinah washington, ell fitz , diana shore etc

Rating:
Summary: more jazz
Review: my interst is in buyng dvd in ntsc about jazz orch, singers , big band's -40's 5o's such as benny goodmsan, artie shaw. count basie ,les paul, dinah washington, ell fitz , diana shore etc

Rating:
Summary: A good introduction for the jazz novice
Review: Not a bad place to start for the newcomer to jazz. Any single volume work encompassing the entire history of so rich a musical tradition is open to questions on both additions and omissions and this book is no exception. However, for those fans who seem to be stuck in gravitational pull of 50's and 60's bop/hard bop era and want to learn more about the other ends of the historical spectrum, from ragtime to free jazz, Gioia's book has plenty to offer. If nothing else, let this book serve as a springboard to futher investigations of particular genres or artists. Rarely did a page go by where I didn't learn something.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo! Bravo!
Review: Pianist Ted Gioia offers a plethora of musicality and vivid portraits of artists ranging from Joe King Oliver to Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and more. One can hear the music! Well written, concise. A musical feast. A historical Jazz concerto. Bravo! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Bravo! Bravo!
Review: Pianist Ted Gioia offers a plethora of musicality and vivid portraits of artists ranging from Joe King Oliver to Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and more. One can hear the music! Well written, concise. A musical feast. A historical Jazz concerto. Bravo! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: interesting narrative of America's music
Review: Ted Gioia has put together an emminently readable and informative history of America's distinctive music. He consider some of the 'what-if' scenarios (Charlie Christian had lived longer...) and addresses some of the worn criticisms in a new light (that Art Tatum was nothing but a pyrotechnician with no real depth) While he doesn't exonerate Tatum entirely, he tells you why Tatum was more than simply a virtuostic curiosity. His insights into why Duke Ellington was so successful are illuminating. Good read.

Rating:
Summary: Why Isn't This Book More Well-Known?
Review: Ted Gioia's The History of Jazz is a solidly competent and wonderfully engaging contribution to understanding the history of Jazz. I also found it a worthwhile look at history through the eyes of jazz. I gleaned a great deal about the history of New Orleans and Harlem, for example, winding my way through this volume. I've read some of the critiques from the critics and they all focus on minute details about jazz at the expense of missing the big picture: this book is an engaging read begging the question "Why isn't this book more well-known?" Its terrific. Brava Mr. Gioia. Or, to borrow from jazz parlance, "go, man, go."