Jazz: A History

A fine work only inhibited by its oldness.

This is a review of the 1977 edition. I'm sure there is a latter edition, and probably due for an update. Fairly serious, text book, and perhaps best in the early years, including folk, ragtime, blues and African influences. Liberally sprinkled with great photos, some early ones include a 1895 photo of Buddy Bolten and a 1923 photo of King Oliver band with Louis Armstrong. This book is probably most geared for the musician, with transcriptions from Lester Young, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane as well as many shorter musical passages through the text. Although I'm sure everyone find some of their favorite musicians missing, Tirro offers many perspectives and tries to relate jazz to other cultural happenings, such as beat poets. His chapter on "Loose Ends" attempts to fill in some of his omissions. I would have liked to have seen more discussion on the role of evolving technology, for example without the more modern microphone a crooner like Frank Sinatra wouldn't have stood out. I found his chronology and discography very helpful in keeping the history and music in context. Readers would do well to have a copy of The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz to listen along with the reading.