Jazz in American Culture (American Ways Series)

Rating:
Summary: Informational
Review: I had to read this book for a school research paper. My thesis was to show that the state of society greatly influenced the sounds of Jazz. This book was exactly what I needed to read. It clearly explains the topic that I needed to research. This book is written in English clear enough for even Junior High students to read. I found it interesting and enjoyable. I used to think that I hated anything to do with Jazz, but this book really shows the reader how much of the music Americans like actually evolved from jazz(ex. swing, beebop). This is a good book for jazz lovers, jazz researchers and basically anyone who wants to learn more about the only music which tells the tale of America's stuggles

Rating:
Summary: Introduction to America's History of Jazz
Review: Jazz in American Culture was the first book I purchased in hopes of developing a background of jazz music and artists -- and how it related to our culture.

The book has an excellent outline of the history of jazz in the US with brief portions about many influential artists; major occurances in our jazz history; and the different styles of jazz (and what critics thought of them).

Although it wasn't a book that I started and couldn't put down, it was still good and worth a read.