Experiencing Jazz: A Listener's Companion

by Michael Stephans

In Experiencing Jazz: A Listener’s Companion, writer, teacher, and renowned jazz drummer Michael Stephans offers a much-needed survey in the art of listening to and enjoying this dynamic, ever-changing art form. More than mere entertainment, jazz provides a pleasurable and sometimes dizzying listening experience with an extensive range in structure and form, from the syncopated swing of big bands to the musical experimentalism of small combos. As Stephans illustrates, listeners and jazz artists often experience the essence of the music together—an experience unique in the world of music.

Experiencing Jazz demonstrates how the act of listening to jazz takes place on a deeply personal level and takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the genre, instrument by instrument—offering not only brief portraits of key musicians like Joe Lovano and John Scofield, but also their own commentaries on how best to experience the music they create. Throughout, jazz takes center stage as a personal transaction that enriches the lives of both musician and listener. Written for anyone curious about the genre, this book encourages further reading, listening, and viewing, helping potential listeners cultivate an understanding and appreciation of the jazz art and how it can help—in drummer Art Blakey’s words—“wash away the dust of everyday life.”

Genres: Music

502 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2012

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than a 3-star rating would let on. It served as a good jumping off point (I spent lots of time looking stuff up while reading), and I thought Stephan's breakdown of artists by instrument was really cool.

That being said, I felt a little inundated by the lists of names, and I felt that Stephans was a little repetitive at times. The overall feel I got from the book was the feel of reading ~400 pages of liner notes (not a bad thing by any means, but a little lacking in some things I would expect from a book designed to introduce people to jazz.)

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A survey of jazz covering major artists, jazz as art and entertainment, and more. Furthermore, there is no need for the reader to have an understanding of music theory before reading this book.

[Matthew Giobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too good to miss. Read it!