The Making of Jazz: a Comprehensive History

If your interest is mostly pre fusion, good work. Especially if you want a sympathetic and lively survey emphasizing middle years 1920 - 1960, this is still one of the best books ever. Possibly the best treatments of Miles Davis and John Coltrane in a complete survey project.

What a truly excellent book. Collier winds together a wide array of analytical strands to provide a compelling total view of the development of jazz, from the musicological (types of chords, notes, melodies and rhythms) all the way through the psychological to the sociocultural. All the major historical phases are covered, starting from the music's oldest, deepest roots in African scales and cross-rhythms, its later transformation into blues, worksongs, shouts and spirituals in America, to the first appearance of real jazz in New Orleans, to ragtime, swing, big band, dixieland, bebop, free jazz and fusion, basically all the main directions up to about 1960 are covered. At its most personal level, the book offers masterful, often very insightful and fascinating profiles of many of jazz's key performers. Racial issues are also frankly discussed, as befits an art form in which most (though not all) of the key innovators and performers have been African Americans. Also satisfying are Collier's many detailed reviews of individual recordings and performances, for instance to illustrate an artist's development over time, or to compare and contrast the styles of two different artists who represented historically important alternative styles. Admittedly such discussions can verge on dictating taste, and Collier is not shy about stating his own preferences, but you don't have to agree with all of the author's views (for instance, his opinions on Miles Davis seem singularly ungenerous) to benefit from this deep, complex and fascinating book. If you are at all interested in the history of jazz, you won't go wrong with it.

I could not put his book down. It delivers a full spectrum panoramic, technicolor presentation. I welcomed very much the inside scope on musicians personal life's, dysfunction and creative process. (These patterns do not apply to Jazzers only, by the way.)can make you understand human nature, and also the pain make art can involve... A very moving, hugely informative, intimate yet far reaching work. It made me hear the music better as well. I will read it again.

In spite of being from 1978, it still stands as the best book on Jazz history. Collier is balanced, was a musician himself and, last but not least, is an apt researcher.

A fantastic detailed overview of Jazz from its origins to the mid-sixties. Combines historical, social, academic musical,literary, entertainment, and psychological perspectives in which all components 'swing'. One caveat-too much deference accorded to psychiatrists in explaining the human behavior of Jazz musicians!