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Ted Gioia's History of Jazz has been universally hailed as a classic - acclaimed by jazz critics and fans around the world. Now Gioia brings his magnificent work completely up-to-date, drawing on the latest research and revisiting virtually every aspect of the music, past and present. Gioia tells the story of jazz as it had never been told before, in a book that brilliantly portrays the legendary jazz players, the breakthrough styles, and the world in which it evolved. Here are the giants of jazz and the great moments of jazz history.

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Written by award-winning jazz historian Ted Gioia, this comprehensive guide offers an illuminating look at more than 250 seminal jazz compositions. In this comprehensive and unique survey, here are the songs that sit at the heart of the jazz repertoire, ranging from "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Autumn in New York" to "God Bless the Child," "How High the Moon," and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." Gioia includes Broadway show tunes written by such greats as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, and classics by such famed jazz musicians as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane.

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Universally acclaimed as a musical genius, Miles Davis was one of the most important and influential musicians in the world. Here, Miles speaks out about his extraordinary life. Miles: The Autobiography, like Miles himself, holds nothing back. For the first time Miles talks about his five-year silence. He speaks frankly and openly about his drug problem and how he overcame it. He condemns the racism he encountered in the music business and in American society generally. And he discusses the women in his life.

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Publisher's Summary

Here are the stories of the extraordinary men and women who made the music: Louis Armstrong, the fatherless waif whose unrivaled genius helped turn jazz into a soloist's art and influenced every singer, every instrumentalist who came after him; Duke Ellington, the pampered son of middle-class parents who turned a whole orchestra into his personal instrument, wrote nearly two thousand pieces for it, and captured more of American life than any other composer. Bix Beiderbecke, the doomed cornet prodigy who showed white musicians that they too could make an important contribution to the music; Benny Goodman, the immigrants' son who learned the clarinet to help feed his family, but who grew up to teach a whole country how to dance; Charlie Parker, who helped lead a musical revolution, only to destroy himself at thirty-four; and Miles Davis, whose search for fresh sounds made him the most influential jazz musician of his generation, and then led him to abandon jazz altogether.

But Jazz is more than a mere biography. The history of the music echoes the history of twentieth-century America. Jazz provided the background for the giddy era that F. Scott Fitzgerald called the Jazz Age. The irresistible pulse of big-band swing lifted the spirits and boosted American morale during the Great Depression and World War II. The virtuosic, demanding style called bebop mirrored the stepped-up pace and dislocation that came with peace. During the Cold War era, jazz served as a propaganda weapon - and forged links with the burgeoning counterculture. The story of jazz encompasses the story of American courtship and show business; the epic growth of cities, and the struggle for civil rights and simple justice that continues into the new millennium.
©2000 by The Jazz Film Project, Inc. (P)2000 Random House, Inc. Random House AudioBooks, A Division of Random House, Inc.

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Audible.com Reviews
Amazon Reviews
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • David
  • paw paw, MI, USA
  • 01-21-08

Captivating...

Full of information and short stories about the musicians that contributed to the genisis and evolution of jazz. I found myself struggling to pause my listening due to available time constraints. However,I always looked forward to pick up where I left off. The only improvement suggestion I could offer is some additional samples of some of the compositions that the narrator was describing throughout this book.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Denise
  • VIRGINIA BEACH , VA, USA
  • 04-12-04

Packed with information

I love to hear the history behind the music, and this book is very detailed. It is my first download, and first audio book. I find Mr. Burton's voice very distinct, and animated. Contrary to a previous review, I have no trouble understanding what is being said. I recommend any one read it, not only is it the story behind the music, it is a seeminly decent portrayal of the culture of the periods covered in the book. IF you enjoy jazz, I suggest you download this book for a better understanding of its development and key artists. Enjoy, I did, and will again!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Ken
  • Elm Grove, WI, USA
  • 02-07-03

Good content but reading not clear

The book is very interesting, but I find it hard to follow: the reader drops his voice at the end of sentences or phrases, often does not pronounce names clearly, and does not pause at major transitions. I find myself needing to backspace the player to try to hear something I missed, often without success.

19 of 24 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

great great book. Very comprehensive, particularly in the early years. It put together a history that I had not quite been aware of. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Julio
  • 6321 Walnut Grove Street Frederick, CO 80516
  • 02-11-13

Buena historia y pobre ilustración musical

La historia de la música de America me pareció muy completa.
Me hubiera gustado que hubiese contenido mas muestras musicales relacionadas con los protagonistas.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Did not link the use of the N word used

Would you listen to Jazz again? Why?

There should be a listening rating to let the listeners know if cursing or racial language will be used in the audiobook. I was shocked to hear that word used. Very inappropriate.

Any additional comments?

There should be a listening rating to let the listeners know if cursing or racial language will be used in the audiobook. I was shocked to hear that word used. Very inappropriate.

1 of 6 people found this review helpful