Legends of Jazz

(Hardback)

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Improvisation, swing, blue notes, glissando, scat these and other ingredients have made jazz a unique musical genre, unmistakable and loved in every corner of the globe. Born in the United States at the end of the 19th century, jazz has its roots in Afro-American music, but has succeeded in becoming contaminated owing to contributions from different styles, fragmenting in turn into countless currents and categories. From the first New Orleans bands, passing through the absolute genius of Satchmo Armstrong - who became model for all later jazz musicians - to the big bands of Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and Benny Goodman, or to the unsurpassed singing performances of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, this book retraces the history of jazz, lingering on the most outstanding personalities and musical excerpts that have marked this musical genre more than any other. Besides the classics, ample space is reserved also for artists of the second postwar period who succeeded in renewing jazz, restoring its freshness and vitality again for the new generations of artists that today tread the musical scene. AUTHOR: Bill Milkowski is a New York-based freelance writer who has contributed to several publications since the 1970s, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, Bass Player, Guitar Player, Modern Drummer, Absolute Sound, and Jazzthing. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he began his career in music journalism, he relocated to New York City in 1980, moved to New Orleans in 1993, and returned to New York in 1997. Milkowski was named Writer of the Year for 2004 by the Jazz Journalists Association. SELLING POINTS: . Comprehensive history of jazz from its roots in Afro-American music to global influence . Highlights iconic figures like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald . Explores jazz's evolution and influence on modern music through vibrant storytelling and musical excerpts

Author Bio

Bill Milkowski is a New York-based freelance writer who has contributed to several publications since the 1970s, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, Bass Player, Guitar Player, Modern Drummer, Absolute Sound, and Jazzthing. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he began his career in music journalism, he relocated to New York City in 1980, moved to New Orleans in 1993, and returned to New York in 1997. Milkowski was named Writer of the Year for 2004 by the Jazz Journalists Association.

Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano is fearless in finding new modes of artistic expression. With 12 Nominations and a Grammy for his 52nd Street Themes, he has won DownBeat magazine's Critics and Readers Polls many times as Tenor Saxophonist, Musician of the Year, and Jazz Album of the Year. Joe has recorded with a long list of jazz greats including Woody Herman, Mel Lewis, Bob Brookmeyer, John Scofield, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Gunther Schuller, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Ed Blackwell, Dave Holland, Hank Jones, Dave Liebman, Michael Brecker, Ravi Coltrane, and many others.