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Innovador, exuberante y controvertido, el jazz ha encontrado -en sus cien años de existencia tanto adoración personal como aprecio intelectual por su intensa emoción y su riqueza musical. Esta valiosa guía cubre toda la historia de¡ jazz, desde su temprano equilibrio entre las influencias africanas y europeas, a través de los años de formación en Nueva Orleans y Chicago, el auge de las grandes bandas en Nueva York, el be-bop y la proliferación de estilos de nueva generación en la posguerra hasta su actual aceptación como una música que desafía las categorías convencionales. Situando el jazz en su contexto político y social, sobre un fondo de tensión racial constante, el autor contempla los talentos individuales que han configurado esta destacaba música: personalidades tan diversas como Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday y Milles Davis. Con sorprendentes ilustraciones y un amplio glosarlo de consulta, este variado texto proporciona una completa y reflexiva introducción a la más vibrante música del siglo xx.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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Mervyn Cooke

20 books7 followers

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Martin.
456 reviews43 followers
October 9, 2013
This is one of my all time favorite books on the history of jazz. Chronicle of jazz is a great introduction to the music and personalities of America’s best music. And not just for someone beginning to listen to jazz. As someone who has been a fan of jazz for decades now COJ has been a pleasure to read. Not only is it a well written (and illustrated) history of the music, it also pays particular attention to the events of the time when the music was composed and played, putting the music in its historical context. This is the book I wish I’d been given when I first started listening to jazz. It’s still a welcome addition to my library now.
Profile Image for Richard Jespers.
Author 2 books21 followers
February 23, 2022
An odd but enjoyable book, especially if you are a fan of jazz and want the blank spots filled in for you. The book is divided by single years or periods of years. On each double page, you will read short bios of jazz personalities. You will put it context with a sidebar of World Events. There is a plethora of stunning black-and-white photographs that document, along with the text, the first one hundred years of jazz. But for many, this book may only be the beginning of your studies.
Profile Image for Paul Butler.
269 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2025
Excellent, year-by-year, review of Jazz from its ragtime origines to the present day. Key artists, records and milestones are emphasised for each year. Richly illustrated.
Profile Image for Joshua Kennedy.
103 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2009
Outstanding basic overview of the history of jazz...As a relatively new listener, I appreciated the information more than professional jazz critics. Well-written and very informative.
17 reviews
October 22, 2011
This book takes a fast and easy ride through the history, characters, albums and songs that shaped the most overlooked genre of music
Profile Image for Mark.
63 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2019
A good overview of the Jazz genre, taking you from African music and spirtituals up through the present day.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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