What was the first jazz record? Are jazz solos really improvised? How did jazz lay the groundwork for rock and country music? In Why Jazz?; author and NPR jazz critic Kevin Whitehead provides lively; insightful answers to these and many other fascinating questions; offering an entertaining guide for both novice listeners and long-time fans.Organized chronologically in a convenient question and answer format; this terrific resource makes jazz accessible to a broad audience; and especially to readers whove found the music bewildering or best left to the experts. Yet Why Jazz? is much more than an informative QA; it concisely traces the century-old history of this American and global art form; from its beginnings in New Orleans up through the current postmodern period. Whitehead provides brief profiles of the archetypal figures of jazz--from Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to Wynton Marsalis and John Zorn--and illuminates their contributions as musicians; performers; and composers. Also highlighted are the building blocks of the jazz sound--call and response; rhythmic contrasts; personalized performance techniques and improvisation--and discussion of how visionary musicians have reinterpreted these elements to continually redefine jazz; ushering in the swing era; bebop; cool jazz; hard bop; and the avant-garde. Along the way; Why Jazz? provides helpful plain-English descriptions of musical terminology and techniques; from "blue notes" to "conducted improvising." And unlike other histories which haphazardly cover the stylistic branches of jazz that emerged after the 1960s; Why Jazz? groups latter-day musical trends by decade; the better to place them in historical context.Whether read in self-contained sections or as a continuous narrative; this compact reference presents a trove of essential information that belongs on the shelf of anyone whos ever been interested in jazz.
#685886 in eBooks 2010-09-28 2010-09-28File Name: B004CFAZG8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Michael M. Kaiser. the guru for ailing Arts OrganizationsBy BBI am a great fan of Michael M. Kaiser. When I started a nonprofit arts corporation. I gave a copy of this book to every prospective Board member so we could have a common starting place. I highly recommend the first book by Mr Kaiser that I read as I tried to aid an ailing community theater. The Art of The Turnaround - Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations (a 5 star book). Its a great place to begin as one starts down the path of nonprofit. especially in the arts. He follows up with other books including The Cycle - A practical Approach To Managing Arts Organizations.Mr Kaiser has taken such organizations the Alvin Aily Dance Theater. American Ballet Theater and the Royal Opera House in London from the brink of extinction. to thriving success. He just ended his tenure as Executive Director of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He continues to help ailing arts organizations and his knowledge and easy to understand practicality is invaluable to all nonprofits and arts organizations. I hope that others working with such organizations will discover Michael M. Kaisers work. and look at his interviews on YouTube. One could make a career out of the path that he has lead the way on.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Must read for all volunteer and staff arts leadersBy Peter A. MelloThis book is a must read for all volunteer and staff arts leaders and especially board members. The author has had a diverse career in the arts and shares his experiences in short. interesting stories that help illustrate his points. As someone who has lead organizations in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. I think this book does a great job bridging the divide. Its short and easy read too.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Must Read for Non-Profit Arts OrganizationsBy Robert Y. EllisIf you are a member of the governing body of a non-profit arts organization and are looking for advice on how your organization should be run. this book is for you. It gives an excellent outline and lots of good advice. I found it very helpful for me in examining how I feel our symphony organization should proceed.
