Lost Chords

The purpose of this text is to reclaim the role white musicians have played in jazz from early in the 20th century to the end of the Second World War, stressing that jazz is an American, not just an African-American form of musical experience.

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The purpose of this text is to reclaim the role white musicians have played in jazz from early in the 20th century to the end of the Second World War, stressing that jazz is an American, not just an African-American, form of musical experience. The emphasis is on individual musicians and their accomplishments - plus a few especially influential big bands. The book rediscovers individual figures and styles of jazz that have been virtually ignored for half a century.