Rating: 
Summary: Good book marred by Lack of CD
Review: As an adult learner of the saxophone, keen to deepen my understanding of jazz this book seemed ideal. I raced through the first half but was pulled up sharply after 90 pages with more than 60 more to go, because the remainder of the book required me to listen to ten tracks from ten separate Blue Note CDs to fully appreciate the accompanying commentary. Realistically that means buying them. The only track in my collection was Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" which is on a widely available Blue Note sampler. It is not just that I would need to buy another 9 CDs to extract the maximum value from the remaining 40% of the book, I couldn't buy at least one of them if I wanted to. Live Messengers by Art Blakey seems to be virtually unobtainable on- or off-line. Incidentally the LP is listed in the book as having been released in 1954, but the Allmusic Guide says it its from 1962. Where the error lies I'm not sure. I have bought two others as mid-priced CDs but most are full price. To devote so much of the book to a recording guide was ill-conceived at best. Did a deal with Blue Note fall through will the book was being prepared? Don't underestimate how much this will impair your enjoyment of the book. The book is quite slim and relatively pricey. Three stars is being generous. I would give it two-and-a-half if allowed. An accompanying CD is essential or an existing compilation should be used as a template.
Rating: 
Summary: WHAT JAZZ IS is what jazz is!
Review: Bravo Mr. King! As a professional musician for over forty years, I am happy to discover that we finally have a writer whose diction, voice and obvious passion for jazz are worthy of this great American art form. The author's descriptions and analyses of the music, itself, and each component of style and instrumentation are first-rate. Mr. King delineates what every jazz musician inherently knows, but may not have the ability to articulate. This is a great book for players, and an even more important book for those wishing to understand this vibrant, dynamic musical genre.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT JAZZ IS is what jazz is!
Review: Bravo Mr. King! As a professional musician for over forty years, I am happy to discover that we finally have a writer whose diction, voice and obvious passion for jazz are worthy of this great American art form. The author's descriptions and analyses of the music, itself, and each component of style and instrumentation are first-rate. Mr. King delineates what every jazz musician inherently knows, but may not have the ability to articulate. This is a great book for players, and an even more important book for those wishing to understand this vibrant, dynamic musical genre.
Rating: 
Summary: is the jazz boring like that book?
Review: Checked this book out of the library twice. Decided that I needed my own copy. Absolutely clear, accessible to the jazz novice. I use it as a reference as I continue my jazz education. Highly recommended as a road-map to understanding and enjoying jazz.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of its kind.
Review: Checked this book out of the library twice. Decided that I needed my own copy. Absolutely clear, accessible to the jazz novice. I use it as a reference as I continue my jazz education. Highly recommended as a road-map to understanding and enjoying jazz.
Rating:
Summary: Be bopping before you know it...
Review: For years I wondered about the appeal and popularity of jazz music. What jazz I heard seemed bizarre, cacophonous, and, well, not worth listening to. Jonny King's book (and it's CD) changed all of that and I've converted into a definite jazz fan. King's book is the perfect introduction and does what it sets out to do: present the jazz neophyte with an understanding of what jazz is, what the musicians are doing as they play, and how to listen to jazz on different levels. An excellent book that has given me a whole new world of music to explore and appreciate. If you are beginning to explore the jazz scene, this book is the perfect primer!
Rating:
Summary: is the jazz boring like that book?
Review: i thought maybe what is jazz could take me to a great place and could live in the author words how jazz feel, but the only thing i found was one of the most boring stories i have read, i play music ,i play blues but i couldnt understand what was the goal of the author saying all he said
Rating:
Summary: A small book to read - a large step to understand jazz!
Review: No mystical stuff, but clear insights in the music. No insider's chatt, but interesting facts, fascinating stories, concise examples (from Blakey to Trane, from Sonny to Ornette). This small book has a lot to tell and made me listen, listen, listen... Very enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: THE place to begin your jazz education!
Review: Not only am I a novice, I'm hard of hearing. I still had no trouble following along with the text. It gives newcomers to jazz a look inside in the heads of jazz musicians, and does so in newbies' language. (The description of the jazz or swing beat as "spang-a-lang" is priceless, and it's something I can mentally check off every time I listen to a jazz recording.) It seems a little unfair even to me to make this quibble about such a fantastic book, but I have to do it: I would willingly have spent several dollars more for a sampler CD of the works that the author analyzes in the second half of the book. If that was impractical, then the author should have tossed his novice readers a bone and at least analyzed a few typical "starter" jazz songs as well as delving into the category of "postbop musicians who played the Blue Note label in the 60's." King's analytical journey is not a bad thing at all, but it seems an odd bit of miscalculation considering the book's intended audience. But that aside, this is the clearest guide to jazz listening that I've ever seen. It managed to turn the most unlikely candidate imaginable, me, into a hopeless jazz lover. Pair this book with a basic jazz history (I find the Complete Idiot's Guide to be adequate), and you're ready to get started. Enjoy the journey!
Rating:
Summary: THE place to begin your jazz education!
Review: Not only am I a novice, I'm hard of hearing. I still had no trouble following along with the text. It gives newcomers to jazz a look inside in the heads of jazz musicians, and does so in newbies' language. (The description of the jazz or swing beat as "spang-a-lang" is priceless, and it's something I can mentally check off every time I listen to a jazz recording.) It seems a little unfair even to me to make this quibble about such a fantastic book, but I have to do it: I would willingly have spent several dollars more for a sampler CD of the works that the author analyzes in the second half of the book. If that was impractical, then the author should have tossed his novice readers a bone and at least analyzed a few typical "starter" jazz songs as well as delving into the category of "postbop musicians who played the Blue Note label in the 60's." King's analytical journey is not a bad thing at all, but it seems an odd bit of miscalculation considering the book's intended audience. But that aside, this is the clearest guide to jazz listening that I've ever seen. It managed to turn the most unlikely candidate imaginable, me, into a hopeless jazz lover. Pair this book with a basic jazz history (I find the Complete Idiot's Guide to be adequate), and you're ready to get started. Enjoy the journey!
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