So here is my list for you...
- The Jazz Book by Joachim Berendt: This book has been around for ages but I believe it is still one of the best books written on jazz. Each edition comes with an update and the latest one is called "The Jazz Book from Ragtime to the 21st Century". It is fair to call it the "encyclopedia of jazz". It might be the largest selling jazz history book and considered as a reference. The writer covers jazz musicians and styles along with all other elements of jazz. If you want to get a copy be sure you get the last revision as there have been a lot of new additions. If you will read only one book about jazz, this should be it...
- Jazz: The Essential Companion to Artists and Albums (Rough Guide) by Ian Carr/Digby Fairweather/Brian Priestly: A great introductory book to the world of jazz. As the Jazz Book, it has couple of different editions. I believe the 3rd is the latest one. The book offers many critical biographies and album reviews. It is also a good alphabetical reference and very well organized. The biographies are not merely the life stories of the artists and the emphasis is given to their contributions to the jazz scene. Also a good reference for archiving as the book includes critical recommendations on key and significant jazz albums.
- Jazz: the Basics by Christopher Meeder: A brief introduction to jazz focusing on main artists and important jazz styles. Do not expect a comprehensive book but can easily offer you the fundamentals. You can also find a list of the 100 essential albums to own in order to build an archive or a playlist.
- Giants of Jazz by Studs Terkel: A fantastic book about 13 great jazz musicians, their artistic lives and the times they have lived and performed. The book is probably quiet old as the writer has personally interviewed all the artists mentioned in the book such as, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker and other great jazz musicians. You may also find some not so commonly known anectodes about the artists.
- Jazz 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Jazz by John Szwed: The book well presents major artists, history, philosophy that shaped jazz music in the last century. Also includes information about the most important recordings.
- Understanding Jazz :Ways to Listen by Tom Piazza: This book comes with a CD which helps the reader to digest much better what the writer has to say. It is definitely not a starter book and the emphasis is given to the explanation of how to better understand the music, form, style and instrumentation. Each chapter in the book is dedicated to a different jazz element.
- Free Jazz by Ekkehard Jost: Especially for readers fond of free jazz and avant-garde. One of the rare books written on this specific jazz style. If you want to know more about 10 key figures/bands of free jazz (Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Albert Ayler, Don Cherry, AACM, Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago), this is a must for your library.
- Improvisation by Derek Bailey: Derek Bailey is an English avant-garde guitarist and a leading figure in the free improvisation movement. The book highlights the improvisation concept not only in jazz but in other musical forms as well (i.e. Indian music, flamenco, baroque, rock etc). Definitely not an easy read but a valuable piece on the topic.
- Coltrane: The Story of a Sound by Ben Ratliff: Written by the jazz critic of the New York Times. Focusing solely on Coltrane's life and more on his impact on jazz music. He has well depicted what is Coltrane sound, how he became who he is and his achievements. Probably the best book about the great Trane.
- Norman Granz: The Man Who Used Jazz for Justice by Tad Hershorn: Norman Granz was the founder of Verve Records and an American jazz impresario. He is well known for his actions fighting inequality against African-American artists and trying to bring jazz to audiences all around the world. It is a portrait of a true jazz giant, maybe the most significant non-musician in jazz.
- The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings by Richard Cook and Brian Morton: The reference for all the jazz recordings in history. Essential guide to recorded jazz. You can find all the jazz albums made till the date of publication (I have the 9th edition from 2008 and I did not see a more recent volume, please comment below if you come across an updated one).
- JazzLife by William Claxton and Joachim Berendt: The best visual collection of jazz photographs reflecting legends and street musicians all over America.
Yes, a lot of reading but I assure you that these books helped me enormously to further appreciate and enjoy jazz. Hope they will be of the same use to you...
Pages from JazzLife with the music of John Zorn "The Sicilian Clan"
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