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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jazz by Alan Axelrod, Alpha Development Group, Richard Carlin ISBN: 0-02-862731-8 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 26 February, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Difficult Subject Handled Expertly
Comment: The task is an enormous one: How to explain jazz to someone who has little or no understanding of the musical genre. Just what is jazz? Maybe it really is a question that can only be answered by the famous Louis Armstrong quote, "If you've gotta ask, you'll never know."
But give Axelrod credit. He gives the subject expert treatment. Whether you know absolutely nothing about jazz (or any music, for that matter), or whether you have a degree in music, you'll learn plenty in this well-formatted book.
The author wisely gives readers a general overview of what constitutes jazz, what some of the major trends were, and a who's who of famous musicians. Axelrod does NOT immediately launch into a chronological history of jazz and that's a plus. Jazz does not have cut-and-dried periods. It's style changes intertwine and sometimes reemerge after years (and decades) of inactivity. After the first few chapters when Axelrod DOES get into more of a chronological look at jazz, it makes more sense. The foundation he has built can withstand a look at the various subgenres at that point. This makes for a much clearer reading and understanding of jazz.
Axelrod gives brief bios of the major players and band leaders. If you want to know more, he tells you where you can continue your search. Also very helpful is a listing of 25 "must have" recordings for the beginner, and an expanded list for those ready to branch out. Also provided are glossaries of musicians and jazz terms.
Some critics have knocked the book for not providing a sampler CD. Let me point out that the outstanding Ken Burns 5 CD boxed set covering the history of jazz barely scratches the surface. A "sampler" CD just won't do.
A great book for the beginning, intermediate, or veteran jazz fan.
approx. 300 pages
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful Book for Jazz enthusiasts
Comment: I would like to thank Dr. Axelrod for such an initiative. If I were any Music educational authority I would insist that this book becomes compulsory text book for any secondary school student...Musician or otherwise!
Rating: 5
Summary: Don't be an idiot anymore!
Comment: A must-have for anyone who never understood jazz, containing: 1) basic musical concepts; 2) jazz history; 3) major schools (styles), musicians and albums; 4) who's who in jazz; 5) essential jazz albums list; 6) complete idiot's reference card (styles and albums checklist).
Read it and you will learn about all the different jazz styles and get tips to find the music that better suits your taste and build a jazz collection.
P.S.: Despite the author's affirmation on page 225, Carmen Miranda was not actually brazilian. She was born in Portugal and moved to Brazil very young.
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Title: Jazz 101: A Complete Guide to Learning & Loving Jazz by John Szwed ISBN: 0786884967 Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 23 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Jazz for Dummies by Dirk Sutro, Barney Kessel ISBN: 0764550810 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 02 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $24.99 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory by Michael Miller ISBN: 0028643771 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 11 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: What to Listen for in Jazz by Barry Kernfeld ISBN: 0300072597 Publisher: Yale Univ Pr Pub. Date: December, 1997 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Music by Robert Sherman, Philip Seldon, Bob Sherman ISBN: 0028616340 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 20 June, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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