Can anyone recommend a good "Jazz for newbies" book / boxset? I'm looking for something covering different styles, with some tracks for each, and - most important - detailed listening notes (I have the Blue Note cover ones in mind). I have maybe a dozen of classic Jazz LPs but trying to go deeper, and to understand - and appreciate - what makes Hard Bop different from Bebop, etc. (if that makes sense!).
Many thanks - and sorry if that's been asked and answered already
The Blue Notes cover book is good but its more of an art book/coffee table book. I have both volumes and while they are good, its perhaps not what you are after given your desire for the listening notes etc.
The
Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression is a favourite of mine, and fully covers the history of the label and the key albums (with comprehensive notes). The Verve book,
Verve: the Sound of America, has the same layout etc and is also fantastic. Both of these books appear pricey but can be picked up at a good price (I paid £20 for the Verve and £22 for the Blue Note) and are MASSIVE coffee table books.
The Jazz Tradition by Martin T. Williams is a good book but arguably quite 'heavy'. You need a real interest in the genre to stick with it as he gets really deep and detailed. Its also kind of dated in the sense that it was written in 1970, although if you have 'classic' pre-70's albums then his points are still relevant.
While it does not provide comprehensive notes on specific albums,
HOW TO LISTEN TO JAZZ By Ted Gioia is a recent release which has had great reviews. I have yet to read it but I believe it would cover the 'different styles' part of your search.
If you find a specific artist you really dig then check to see if he/she has a autobiography. This might be more useful later on once you have found/read an more general book, but still worth remembering. I have read a TON in the past couple of years and learn so much from them. The more you read the more you start seeing bit tie together as well. Good ones include -
Miles: The Autobiography ,
Straight Life: The Story Of Art Pepper ,
Herbie Hancock: Possibilities ,
Raise Up Off Me: A Portrait of Hampton Hawes and, although it doesnt actually cover that much of his musical life,
Beneath the Underdog by Charles Mingus
While its not a book, its also well worth looking at the
London Jazz Collector's website. The chances are he will have reviewed/posted about an album you have and often goes into great detail on the history behind it. Theres also general, super detailed, posts about specific labels, sub-genre's, pressings, etc.
Hope this is a bit of a start.
