Jazz Panorama

by Martin T. Williams

jazz panorama

Genres: Music

Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jazz Review, which lasted only a few years in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was one of the best magazines devoted to jazz ever published, and this collection from its pages stands up very well nearly 60 years later. The articles range from Gunther Schuller's groundbreaking analysis of Sonny Rollins' "Blue 7" to lightweight, but fun stuff like "The Symposium," which parodies the styles of well-known critics, including the editor of this book, Martin Williams.

What's really striking is the depth of the record reviews - many of them delve far deeper than the usual superficial discussion. For example, Larry Gushee's review of an album gathering King Oliver's Gennett and Paramount recordings is one of the best things ever written about Oliver's Creole Jazz Band.

Everyone will have their favorites here, of course. Over the years, I have read and reread Edmond Souchon's "King Oliver: A Very Personal Memoir" many times. It's fascinating - a glimpse into the earliest days of jazz, with insights into how the music changed and developed in its early days. And it's well-written and touching.