The Blackwell Guide to Recorded Jazz

A group of international jazz specialists select about 150 of the greatest jazz performances which would form the basis of any comprehensive collection of jazz recordings, covering all styles, periods and areas.

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In this "Guide" a group of jazz specialists select about 150 of the greatest jazz performances which would form the basis of any comprehensive collection of jazz recordings, covering all styles, periods, and areas. The focus of the book is the music itself, and in identifying great performances, the authors chart the massively complex issue history of the great sessions, giving an exhaustive catalogue of CD, LP and cassette releases in most of the world's major countries. Both texts and recordings lists introduce ideas for further listening, through comparative comment, or, for example, by using complete collected works of particular artists. To the newcomer to jazz, forming a basic collection this should prove a useful guide. To the more seasoned listener, the critical discussions should be informative and helpful, and some of the selections unusual and unexpected. Barry Kernfeld is the editor of the "New Grove Dictionary of Jazz".