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Jazz: A History of America's Music,Used
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A masterpiece that brings to life the fascinating story of the quintessential American musicjazz. Visually stunning, with more than five hundred photographs, this companion volume to the acclaimed tenpart PBS TV series is an exploration of the music that celebrates all Americans at their best.Here are the stories of the extraordinary men and women who made the music: Louis Armstrong, the fatherless waif whose unrivaled genius helped turn jazz into a soloist's art and influenced every singer, every instrumentalist who came after him; Duke Ellington, the pampered son of middleclass parents who turned a whole orchestra into his personal instrument, wrote nearly two thousand pieces for it, and captured more of American life than any other composer. Bix Beiderbecke, the doomed cornet prodigy who showed white musicians that they too could make an important contribution to the music; Benny Goodman, the immigrants' son who learned the clarinet to help feed his family, but who grew up to teach a whole country how to dance; Billie Holiday, whose distinctive style routinely transformed mediocre music into great art; Charlie Parker, who helped lead a musical revolution, only to destroy himself at thirtyfour; and Miles Davis, whose search for fresh ways to sound made him the most influential jazz musician of his generation, and then led him to abandon jazz altogether. Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Artie Shaw, and Ella Fitzgerald are all here; so are Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and a host of others.But Jazz is more than mere biography. The history of the music echoes the history of twentiethcentury America. Jazz provided the background for the giddy era that F. Scott Fitzgerald called the Jazz Age. The irresistible pulse of bigband swing lifted the spirits and boosted American morale during the Great Depression and World War II. The virtuosic, demanding style called bebop mirrored the steppedup pace and dislocation that came with peace. During the Cold War era, jazz served as a propaganda weaponand forged links with the burgeoning counterculture. The story of jazz encompasses the story of American courtship and show business; the epic growth of great citiesNew Orleans and Chicago, Kansas City and New Yorkand the struggle for civil rights and simple justice that continues into the new millennium.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Jazz: A History of America's Music'? A: The main theme of this book is the exploration of jazz as a quintessential American music genre, highlighting its rich history and cultural significance through the stories of influential musicians.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Geoffrey C. Ward, who provides a comprehensive narrative on the history of jazz and its impact on American culture.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 512 pages, providing an in-depth look at the history and evolution of jazz music.
- Q: What is the binding type of this edition? A: This edition is a paperback binding, making it lightweight and easy to handle for readers.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in jazz? A: Yes, the book is suitable for beginners as it provides an informative overview of jazz history, making it accessible for those new to the genre.
- Q: When was 'Jazz: A History of America's Music' published? A: The book was published on October 8, 2002, and has since been recognized for its insightful exploration of jazz.
- Q: Does the book include photographs or illustrations? A: Yes, the book features more than five hundred photographs that enhance the storytelling and provide visual context to the history of jazz.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition', indicating it may show some signs of wear but is still usable and intact.
- Q: What genre does this book fall under? A: This book falls under the genre of History & Criticism, focusing on the historical context and critique of jazz music.
- Q: Are there any notable musicians discussed in the book? A: Yes, the book discusses numerous notable musicians including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis, among others.