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Jazz: Essential Listening
The #1 text in the market―now in an Essentials Edition. Jazz: Essential Listening provides all the materials students need to listen to, understand, and love jazz. Written by two master storytellers, this new brief text combines a dynamic listening experience with vivid narrative history, must-hear masterworks, and a superior eMedia package to reveal the excitement of America’s quintessential music. Authors Scott DeVeaux and Gary Giddins write with intellectual bite, eloquence, and the passion of unabashed fans. They explain what jazz is, where it came from, how it works, and who created it, all within the broader context of American life and culture.
404 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 20, 2020
If you are going to read only one book about the history of Jazz, it should certainly be this one. Particularly if you listen along with each piece as it is analysed. While I am not a fan of streaming music services, the fact that every one of the tunes can be found within seconds on Spotify or Apple Music makes this process very easy indeed.
Of course there are lacunae, of course their emphasis is at times not in line with mine, of course some of the analysis is necessarily superficial, but they do an extraordinary job of packing everything in to one book and illuminating the lines of development and influence throughout the 20thc.
Highly recommended.
Of course there are lacunae, of course their emphasis is at times not in line with mine, of course some of the analysis is necessarily superficial, but they do an extraordinary job of packing everything in to one book and illuminating the lines of development and influence throughout the 20thc.
Highly recommended.
August 16, 2022
This book offers an enjoyable and highly-informative survey of jazz from its earliest precursors in Congo Square to its modern-day postmodern conservatory-trained professionals. The contours of the story are familiar enough, but it is useful and relatively complete.
The book is punctuated throughout with several dozen listening exercises in which the authors closely analyze a particular song that illuminates an important artist or style, calling attention to what the musician is doing and what is of interest, second by second. Almost every example is available on Spotify, and it probably goes without saying that it's crucial to find the specific versions the authors analyze. Duke Ellington probably recorded "Mood Indigo" at least a dozen times, but to really benefit from their analysis, you have to dig a bit to find the one from 1930.
It's an excellent and useful approach, which I assume is probably modeled on the authors' experience as university teachers. Like an introductory survey course on jazz history, you get a bit of narrative followed by a close listen with commentary, and then on you go.
There is some formal analysis but the book presupposes almost no knowledge of music theory, though some the examples sometimes reference a V chord or a diminished fifth. Personally I would have preferred a bit more theoretical analysis, but then it would have been a different kind of book, and would probably have turned off a lot of potential readers.
The story of jazz cannot be told without to some degree telling the story of race in twentieth century America, and I think the authors handle this very well, plainly stating what I take to be a very reasonable account of the plain facts of the savagery of racism and its intensely-destructive effects. I appreciate that this historical context is included, but never spins out and overtakes the larger story of the music and the art.
In part because I feel that they handled the race component so well, I am somewhat disappointed with how the authors tackled gender, or failed to tackle it, as the case happens to be. Of the several dozen artists they analyze in their examples, there are exactly three female jazz musicians, all of them singers, and if you are a jazz fan, I don't have to tell you who they are - you already know. Mary Lou Williams is discussed, but her music is not analyzed.
On the whole, this is an excellent book. I really enjoyed the focus and the tone, and came away with a useful overview of the primary currents that have shaped this great art form for more than a century. I think anyone who has struggled to make sense of its long history or how to understand its music will come away with a deeper appreciation of the genre.
The book is punctuated throughout with several dozen listening exercises in which the authors closely analyze a particular song that illuminates an important artist or style, calling attention to what the musician is doing and what is of interest, second by second. Almost every example is available on Spotify, and it probably goes without saying that it's crucial to find the specific versions the authors analyze. Duke Ellington probably recorded "Mood Indigo" at least a dozen times, but to really benefit from their analysis, you have to dig a bit to find the one from 1930.
It's an excellent and useful approach, which I assume is probably modeled on the authors' experience as university teachers. Like an introductory survey course on jazz history, you get a bit of narrative followed by a close listen with commentary, and then on you go.
There is some formal analysis but the book presupposes almost no knowledge of music theory, though some the examples sometimes reference a V chord or a diminished fifth. Personally I would have preferred a bit more theoretical analysis, but then it would have been a different kind of book, and would probably have turned off a lot of potential readers.
The story of jazz cannot be told without to some degree telling the story of race in twentieth century America, and I think the authors handle this very well, plainly stating what I take to be a very reasonable account of the plain facts of the savagery of racism and its intensely-destructive effects. I appreciate that this historical context is included, but never spins out and overtakes the larger story of the music and the art.
In part because I feel that they handled the race component so well, I am somewhat disappointed with how the authors tackled gender, or failed to tackle it, as the case happens to be. Of the several dozen artists they analyze in their examples, there are exactly three female jazz musicians, all of them singers, and if you are a jazz fan, I don't have to tell you who they are - you already know. Mary Lou Williams is discussed, but her music is not analyzed.
On the whole, this is an excellent book. I really enjoyed the focus and the tone, and came away with a useful overview of the primary currents that have shaped this great art form for more than a century. I think anyone who has struggled to make sense of its long history or how to understand its music will come away with a deeper appreciation of the genre.
April 30, 2018
Hey guess what Ken Burns? Jazz didn't die when Coltrane did. There was actually MORE very interesting music happening in jazz post '68. Young musicians picked up instruments and pushed the envelope, extending what could be done in jazz. But hey if Wynton said nothing happened after 68 and the avant garde was meaningless and "not jazz" then how you gonna argue with Wynton?
Having read two history of jazz books from the New Orleans beginnings until present in the past year this negation of the avant garde by Burns seems the differing factors in the two books. This history of jazz book, Scott DeVeaux's imaginatively titled "Jazz" is the slight winner of the two. DeVeaux's book is slightly more academic but if you are looking to learn about all the forms of jazz this is the book for you. Where Burn's book wins is there is more emotional involvement but because of that emotion it is less concise and Burns plays favorites. At times Burns seems to be writing a dual biography of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington rather than a complete history. Deveaux states the facts surely and covers the same ground but it was refreshing to read about the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sun Ra and Albert Ayler among others. I love jazz. And I love most all kinds (can't quite get with bebop or elevator) I love Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday just as much as I love John Zorn, Peter Brotzmann and Lester Bowie. So many kudos to DeVeaux's history for not disregarding my heroes.
There are LOTS of great interactive features with this book and it even comes with 4 cd's chronicling the history. Mine did not because I bought it used but I want to seek these cd's out. I gave both of these history of jazz books a "4 rating but in reality this volume is like a 4.25 and the Burns book a 3.75. If you want to learn about EVERYTHING in jazz get this book.
Having read two history of jazz books from the New Orleans beginnings until present in the past year this negation of the avant garde by Burns seems the differing factors in the two books. This history of jazz book, Scott DeVeaux's imaginatively titled "Jazz" is the slight winner of the two. DeVeaux's book is slightly more academic but if you are looking to learn about all the forms of jazz this is the book for you. Where Burn's book wins is there is more emotional involvement but because of that emotion it is less concise and Burns plays favorites. At times Burns seems to be writing a dual biography of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington rather than a complete history. Deveaux states the facts surely and covers the same ground but it was refreshing to read about the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sun Ra and Albert Ayler among others. I love jazz. And I love most all kinds (can't quite get with bebop or elevator) I love Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Billie Holliday just as much as I love John Zorn, Peter Brotzmann and Lester Bowie. So many kudos to DeVeaux's history for not disregarding my heroes.
There are LOTS of great interactive features with this book and it even comes with 4 cd's chronicling the history. Mine did not because I bought it used but I want to seek these cd's out. I gave both of these history of jazz books a "4 rating but in reality this volume is like a 4.25 and the Burns book a 3.75. If you want to learn about EVERYTHING in jazz get this book.
February 1, 2021
Well written and well organized. I enjoyed learning about the music and the people, and especially enjoyed all the social history to put everything into context.
January 19, 2010
We all probably know a jazz buff. I've known a few. Nice people in general, but their complete submersion and downright (sorry) snobbery about all other forms of music can be more than a little off-putting. For this and other reasons (no lyrics, difficult listening at times), jazz never seemed quite worth the effort.
If only a great book like "Jazz" was around 25 years ago. Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux tell what is truly a fascinating story of artistry and beauty and tragedy and, well, love, in their highly accessible new history of this most misunderstood of American art forms. You can't help but get caught up in the drama. This is 20th century American cultural history at its finest.
And the authors don't stop with powerful character studies. The book includes dozens of carefully written, yet non-condescending, measure-by-meaure explanations of dozens of songs and peformances key to the story. Heck, they even explain what a "measure" is! With a little effort, the reader comes to understand what jazz is trying to do, how its genuises advanced the form and why it all matters.
Best of all, the authors avoid the usual snide remarks about "simple" music (i.e., anything that isn't jazz). There are even some laudatory comments about landmark rock albums. There's also a healthy respect for the blues tradition, which is quintessential to both jazz and rock.
This isn't to say that jazz is for everyone, but this book sure makes it sound inviting. "Come on in," Giddins and DeVeaux seem to be calling from every page, "the water's fine!"
If only a great book like "Jazz" was around 25 years ago. Gary Giddins and Scott DeVeaux tell what is truly a fascinating story of artistry and beauty and tragedy and, well, love, in their highly accessible new history of this most misunderstood of American art forms. You can't help but get caught up in the drama. This is 20th century American cultural history at its finest.
And the authors don't stop with powerful character studies. The book includes dozens of carefully written, yet non-condescending, measure-by-meaure explanations of dozens of songs and peformances key to the story. Heck, they even explain what a "measure" is! With a little effort, the reader comes to understand what jazz is trying to do, how its genuises advanced the form and why it all matters.
Best of all, the authors avoid the usual snide remarks about "simple" music (i.e., anything that isn't jazz). There are even some laudatory comments about landmark rock albums. There's also a healthy respect for the blues tradition, which is quintessential to both jazz and rock.
This isn't to say that jazz is for everyone, but this book sure makes it sound inviting. "Come on in," Giddins and DeVeaux seem to be calling from every page, "the water's fine!"
January 14, 2014
A most excellent text on the subject. I had little to no knowledge of the subject, but after this am much more well-informed. I got this from a college library, so I don't know if the general edition from a bookstore would include this, but mine included 4 CDs, the Norton Jazz Recordings. This is what makes it so excellent. When the authors talk about a person, effect, type of music form or whatever, there's a selection that illustrates (audiates?) that. According to the introduction there are 78 Listening Guides to tracks, with "mostly nonmusicological descriptions of what happens from one passage to the next", keyed to the track timer of a player. These helped enormously. I have no musical training and wouldn't know a harmonic change if it bit me in the butt, so I need something to "show" me what they're talking about.
In all a comprehensive history of the art, with audio examples. Most recommended for absolute beginners, and maybe even others more knowledgeable would enjoy this.
In all a comprehensive history of the art, with audio examples. Most recommended for absolute beginners, and maybe even others more knowledgeable would enjoy this.
February 15, 2010
This is an excellent book. I was quite familiar with jazz history, but still learned some things from the narrative; but, more than that, the numerous descriptions of pieces was incredibly helpful. I didn't have the accompanying CDs, but own a number of the described pieces. I found new insight in close listenings of things like Art Tatum's "Over the Rainbow." My only complaint is that I wish they'd done this in a multi-media format.
June 14, 2013
Best jazz book I've found. IN additional to social and good biographical treatments, Giddens and his sidekick break history into analytic clusters especially beginning with Modern Jazz, i.e. Be Bop: rhythm, composition, etc., with very helpful analyses of song recordings available to accompany the book. Just greet reading, and reference source.
January 19, 2017
Excellent source for jazz aficionados and great overview for the casual listener, like myself. All the most influential artists were covered and an outline of jazz history constructed. I was able to greatly expand my jazz artist lists on pandora.com so have added much great listening to the weeks and months ahead.
February 28, 2011
Enjoyed this comprehensive but thoroughly readable history of jazz music. The listening notes are particularly good. Co-writer Gary Giddins appeared in the Ken Burns Jazz series, but for my money this book gives a more balanced treatment (giving a fair coverage of music beyond the 60s).
July 29, 2016
Fantastic introduction to jazz and its many paths and variants throughout the 20th century. The book includes analyses - down to the second - of several dozen tracks, most of which are easy to find and listen to on Spotify.
Want to read
February 22, 2014This looks cool and all, and Joanne even has the accompanying boxed set of CDs. Which makes it more of a project than a book, so I'm psyched to get to it sometime when I have a month of Sundays to kill.
October 4, 2014
Sprawling and enlightening at points, excessive and misguided at others. Annoying tendency to downplay race and identity politics to focus on strict history. Clear agenda missed at points. Quick read and pretty complete.
February 19, 2011
Interesting book. Good views on musical theory and aspects. Loads of incite and information. A great read.
unrated-unfinished
June 27, 2011Very heavy reading.
January 8, 2017
Great book. Covers major and minor artists, short chapters with music CD's (extra purchase) that follows the book.
February 24, 2013
Excellent
May 23, 2017
Great look at the progression of jazz from New Orleans to Bebop to Fusion and beyond. The listening guides are a particular highlight.
October 13, 2019
The unique listening guides elevate this book to the "it was incredible" level of a five star rating.
April 17, 2020
This lengthy book is a very comprehensive and well-done history of jazz. It comes with four CDs of listening, and guides for all the tracks are integrated into the text. As someone who was not previously well-versed in jazz, I found this to be an incredibly useful and informative book. The listening really brought all the different musicians, styles, and periods alive and made everything much more concrete, not to mention enjoyable. The writing is very readable, and I especially appreciated the way Giddins and Deveaux were frank about who racism impacted both the development of jazz and the lives of the people who made it. I do wish that they had given a little more attention to women (or the lack thereof) in jazz, and made more of an effort to include women. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading Jazz - not only did I learn a lot, I discovered so much really cool music.
May 11, 2020
Incredibly detailed and broad history of jazz presented here. A fantastic window into the trends that shaped jazz as a genre from its origins as an African-American expression imported to New Orleans, right up to the post-modern sound world of Jason Moran.
Long but rewarding - a really valuable historical base for beginning to evaluate some of the issues at play with Jazz historiography. Particularly liked the explanation and deconstruction of the jazz fusion narrative, how did jazz deal with the rise of rock music in the 1960s, and how this fractured the genre in some ways but centered it around certain core aesthetics in another.
Its clear that DeVeaux and Giddins really get the essence of jazz genre and when reading this book you feel like they didn't neglected their love and fascination for the music at any point.
Long but rewarding - a really valuable historical base for beginning to evaluate some of the issues at play with Jazz historiography. Particularly liked the explanation and deconstruction of the jazz fusion narrative, how did jazz deal with the rise of rock music in the 1960s, and how this fractured the genre in some ways but centered it around certain core aesthetics in another.
Its clear that DeVeaux and Giddins really get the essence of jazz genre and when reading this book you feel like they didn't neglected their love and fascination for the music at any point.
August 14, 2024
Wonderfully comprehensive overview of Jazz as not only a musical genre but a mentality. Reads like a trip on the interstate, with major characters and eras as parallel highways and lesser know or represented characters diverging offramps you may pursue at your leisure should you desire. Each and every musician referenced is given equal respect with a 1-3 line minimum intro on their birth and musical origin, with greater detailed accounts allotted based on their level of influence across their specific era or the genre as a whole.
Overall a technically sound workhorse, with ample time early on spent ensuring the reader has an above introduction level understanding of musical theory and notation. Without this, I fear a lot of the track descriptions and nuance of each style would be lost on the reader.
Overall a technically sound workhorse, with ample time early on spent ensuring the reader has an above introduction level understanding of musical theory and notation. Without this, I fear a lot of the track descriptions and nuance of each style would be lost on the reader.
January 31, 2024
This is a first rate history of jazz that unfortunately runs out of gas around 2009 - that’s how it is with publication dates. It struggles a bit with the last few decades - it’s harder to write a history when opinions haven’t settled. As a reader, you need the accompanying disks to read this book. Just reading about jazz is futile if you aren’t listening at the same time. The analyses of the pieces are one of the highlights of the book. Basically, I really enjoyed this and recommend it highly if you have any interest in the history of jazz. Well written, easy to read, and captivating.
And for what it’s worth, Coltrane rules….
And for what it’s worth, Coltrane rules….
May 6, 2023
Definitive guide to "America's classical music" by cultural critic Giddins and collaborator Scott Deveaux. If you're new to the genre, this is as sophisticated a primer as you can get; if you're an aficionado, it's a comprehensive reference. The historical contextualization is admirably nuanced, the mini-biographies are fine portraits, and the technical dissections of representative styles are surprisingly digestible.
September 30, 2019
While I think the book is essentially a very long encyclopedia and could have been more textbook-like, such as adding more visual cues and chapter summaries, this book encompasses most topics needed for appreciating jazz music. With the detailed analysis of the sample audio, you can train your auditory sense to a music genre that is mysterious and intricate for beginners.
April 23, 2018
History of jazz through its music with second by second analysis of key songs. Takes jazz knowledge and appreciation to the next level.
Read
July 2, 2020grad school book
July 11, 2022
I love books about music and this is the best one I’ve ever read. It’s over 600 pages and I just devoured it. Magnificent.
April 16, 2025
Full of information and mostly entertaining to read.
I think I would have enjoyed it more outside of a class based setting where I could take it in more slowly. Just let it simmer.
I think I would have enjoyed it more outside of a class based setting where I could take it in more slowly. Just let it simmer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews