Ohio Jazz: A History of Jazz in the Buckeye State

by David Meyers, Candice Watkins, Arnett Howard

Most jazz historians give short shrift to the Buckeye state, regarding as a go-through rather than a go-to place. However, the fact is jazz has been practiced in Ohio and with a vengeance. For 30 years, these authors have been researching and documenting the history of music, particularly jazz in Ohio. Their 1999 exhibit at the Ohio Historical Society, Jazz Ohio " ran for twelve months before portions of it moved to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The exhibit inspired the book, and much of what you will read here has never been brought together in one place before and it may well change the way you think about jazz. And Ohio."

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read as far as the book goes. More of a catalogue at times than a real history. I had hoped the book would put jazz in a cultural and historial context, which it doesn't. Segregation and Jom Crow is hardly mentioned nor the tension between African American and white perceptions of "real jazz" performance that was exhibited in other placeds, like New Orleans. Nonethess, very useful for those looking for an introduction to the subject. And wow! What a lot of musicians s have ties to Ohio. Who knew?

Forgot: the short bio sections were good and left me wanting to know more about the individuals. I was very surprised, though. that the authors totally ignored the great Cozy Cole who ended up lecturer and artist -in residence at Capital University here in Columbus.

[Dan Darragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

See, not all the jazz musicians come out of Chicago, New York or New Orleans. Ohio has contributed mightily over the years, including some really big names. The book traces the history of jazz and jazz in Ohio for about half the book. The rest is short vignettes of individuals. It's not exciting reading, but more like an encyclopedia. Musicians and jazz aficianadoes especially will find it interesting. A couple of more paragraphs of anecdotal information would have jazzed up this reference work.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Jazz and Ohio Artists.
Wild Bill Davison is from Defiance, Ohio, my home town.