All Music Guide to Jazz

by Michael Erlewine (Editor)

The must-have classic reference for listening to Jazz. More than 18,000 sizzling recordings by over 1,700 artists are now identified in this definitive guide. You get the inside into on New Orleans traditional jazz, swing, fusion, bebop, new age, big band and much more, direct from noted jazz critics and journalists who write for publications such as Cadence, Down Beat, Jazz Times, and Coda.

Genres: Music, Reference, Jazz

1 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

My recent review of The Rough Guide to Jazz inspired me to extend my quest. This is the result.

This edition of the All Music Guide to Jazz is significantly better than The Rough Guide.

The biographies are better and, usually, more complete. The music recommendations are, not merely a list, but mini-reviews with ratings. The additional essays and other material (book reviews, venues, record labels, etc.) make this an even more valuable asset.

The Rough guide is probably adequate for the casual jazz listener, but this book does that and fulfills most of the additional information a serious student of jazz music would want.

[Jason Tyus · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first began to explore the wonderful world of Jazz, I looked for a book that might help me learn more about it. This was the first book on Jazz I bought (I have purchased many more since), but this is still the one I use and refer to most often. (I call my now worn and tattered copy "the bible".) Basically its the best single book about Jazz I've ever come across.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and used several books on jazz, but the All Music guide has less of the obvious prejudices that mar the Penguin guide and the Rough Guide. Comprehensive, readable, practical and reliable.

[Bjm Index]

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[Bill Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start with the essays in the back, as well as their recommended recordings, then explore.