By John Szwed

On Sale: Aug 23, 2000
Page Count: 336 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-13: 9780786884964

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$28.99 CAD

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Trade Paperback $21.99 $28.99 CAD

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A vital tool in understanding and appreciating jazz — introducing the key figures, theory, and the controversies that shaped it development — that explores how it became North America’s most popular music in less than fifty years.

Often called America’s only original art form, jazz is also one of our least understood. This fascinating entry into the world of jazz for the beginner, novice, casual enthusiast, or anyone who thinks jazz stopped developing in the 1950s, a misconception widely held today, debunks fallacies and analyzes the myths, history, and developments of this enthralling art form.

John F. Szwed, anthropologist, critic, and musical scholar, takes readers on a tour of the varied and nonlinear history of jazz, exploring how it developed from an ethnic music to popular music to part of the avant garde in less than fifty years. But he also offers insightful commentary on how jazz changed the way the world would look at music.

This complete overview includes:

The major types of jazz and the significant jazz musicians of the 20th century
The roots of jazz, including its European and African influences
Extensive sidebars with recommended listening, plus exhaustive appendices on jazz singers, record guides, and more

Jazz 101 makes jazz, with all its intricacies of artistry and vast array of forms, accessible to readers in fluid, entertaining prose.

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John F. Szwed is currently a professor of anthropology, African and African-American studies, music, and American studies at Yale University. He has written seven books on music and African-American culture and numerous articles and reviews on related subjects. His honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Rockefeller Foundation Humanities Fellowship. He lives in Connecticut.

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John Szwed

About the Author

John F. Szwed is currently a professor of anthropology, African and African-American studies, music, and American studies at Yale University. He has written seven books on music and African-American culture and numerous articles and reviews on related subjects. His honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Rockefeller Foundation Humanities Fellowship. He lives in Connecticut.

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