Jazz For Dummies

Includes a list of more than 100 recordings for your jazz collection


The fun and easy way to explore the world of jazz

Jazz is America's greatest music, but with over a century's worth of styles and artists, where do you begin? Relax! This hep cat's guide delivers the scoop on the masters and their music -- from Duke Ellington to Charlie Parker to Wynton Marsalis. It's just what you need to tune in to the history and musical structure of jazz and become a more savvy listener.

Discover how to
* Understand the traits and roots of jazz
* Tune in to jazz styles, from big band to bebop
* Listen to great jazz artists
* Catch a live jazz performance
* Succeed in a jazz ensemble

Praise for Jazz For Dummies

"Now you can finally know about one of . . . America's greatest contributions to world culture."
--Jon Faddis, jazz trumpeter

"Fun to read. . . . An important stepping stone to understanding this complex and profound music."
--James Moody, jazz saxophonist

"Dirk Sutro is madly in love with jazz and . . . he knows what he's talking about."
--"Chubby" Jackson, jazz bassist

Introduction.

Part I: All That Jazz: A Tour of the Basics.

Chapter 1: In the Beginning: Entering the World of Jazz.

Chapter 2: Altered Ears: Understanding the Traits and Roots of Jazz.

Chapter 3: The Scheme of Things: Elements of Jazz Theory.

Chapter 4: Tools of the Trade: The Instruments of Jazz.

Part II: Jazz Greats and Great Jazz: An Evolutionary Riff.

Chapter 5: The Birth of an American Music: Jazz into the 1920s.

Chapter 6: The Golden Era of Big Band Swing: The 1930s and Beyond.

Chapter 7: Bebop to Cool: The 1940s and 1950s.

Chapter 8: A Radical Departure: The 1960s and 1970s.

Chapter 9: The Perfect Hybrid: Latin Jazz.

Chapter 10: Looking Ahead: The Present and Future of Jazz.

Part III: The Beat Goes On: Jazz Appreciation 101.

Chapter 11: Mass Appeal: Taking Note of Jazz in Popular Culture.

Chapter 12: Good Times: Jazzing Up Any Dinner Party.

Chapter 13: Lovin It Live: A Jazz Concert Survival Guide.

Chapter 14: Traveling Jazz: Your Ticket to the Best Festivals.

Part IV: I Like the Way You Play: The Jazz Musician.

Chapter 15: Feeding the Jazz Jones: Advice for Aspiring Players.

Chapter 16: So You Wanna Be in a Band: Fitting into a Jazz Ensemble.

Chapter 17: Digital Jazz: Making Music in High–Tech Times.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten Great Cities for Jazz.

Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Building and Enjoying a Jazz Collection.

Part VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: More Than 100 Recommended Jazz Titles.

Appendix B: Trustworthy Jazz Labels.

Appendix C: Resources for Further Jazz Enlightenment.

Index.

Dirk Sutro is a writer and jazz lover based in Encinitas, California. He s covered jazz for more than 20 years. As host of The Lounge on KPBS–FM public radio in San Diego from 1999 to 2004, Dirk interviewed jazz musicians including Arthur Blythe, Don Byron, Holly Hofmann, Lee Konitz, Mundell Lowe, Bennie Maupin, Steve Lacy, Joe Lovano, Charles McPherson, Sam Rivers, and Mike Wofford. He was the jazz critic for the San Diego edition of the Los Angeles Times from 1988 to 1992 and is the author of two books about architecture: West Coast Wave: New California Houses and San Diego Architecture from Missions to Modern. He currently serves as program promotion manager for the Department of Music at the University of California, San Diego. He s a graduate of U.C. Berkeley (BA in English) and San Diego State University (MS in Mass Communications).