Jazz

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From Dixieland to swing, bebop to fusion, and hip-hop to funk, jazz has been the constant and ever-changing soundtrack to 20th-century American life. Sometimes hot, sometimes cool, this raucous, quixotic, and fiercely improvisational force of nature was born in the joyful shouts of camp meetings and the hymns of segregated Southern churches, in the work songs of the railroad and the ring calls of the cotton fields, in the soulful wail of itinerant blues and the chugging ragtime rhythms of riverboats and sporting houses. It came of age alongside dance crazes, the movies, the record industry, and worldwide broadcasting. And with today's new crop of innovative "young lions" of jazz, this quintessentially American music shows no signs of slowing down. This essential guide documents all aspects of the world of jazz, from its fascinating history and landmark recordings to key instruments and techniques and influential musicians. All the "greats'' are here, from Scott Joplin to Winton Marsalis, Bessie Smith to Cassandra Wilson. Illustrated with evocative color and black-and-white photos, timecharts, and jazz memorabilia, Jazz is the essential reference for beginners and connoisseurs alike. 10" x 12".