The History of Jazz

"Possibly the best survey to date." —Ann Douglas in the New York Times

"If you are looking for an introduction to jazz, this is it. If you know and love jazz well, this is your vade mecum. Me, I expect to be reading around in it for the rest of my life . . . [It is] the definitive work: encyclopedic, discriminating, provocative, perceptive and eminently readable. With its publication, it can no longer be said that the literature of jazz falls far short of the music itself." —Jonathan Yardley in the Washington Post

"In The History of Jazz, Gioia has written an authoritative work of research that does not spare the poetic power of words." —James Sullivan in the San Francisco Chronicle

"Gioia's History stands a good chance of becoming the standard guide for general readers and academics. . . . Gioia coherently and eruditely compacts into 400-odd pages the work of 30 volumes. Impressive with epic sweep, he details divinely too." —Greg Tate in the Village Voice

"Ted Gioia's The History of Jazz is the work of a noted jazz scholar and performer, but is just as plainly aimed at a general audience. . . . Anyone looking for a balanced, well-written popular history of jazz will certainly find it both readable and reliable . . . nor should more experienced readers expect to come away empty-handed." —Terry Teachout in the Wall Street Journal

"This is the book you need if you require a grasp of the music's history, and it is a friendly companion for those who have an overview but will always welcome more details . . .It is the best history in print." —John Clare in The Australian's Review of Books

"Powerful and dynamic . . . essential reading for the serious jazz student" —Dr. Lee Bash in Jazz Educator's Journal