Innovators of American Jazz.

Mour, Stanley I.  Innovators of American Jazz.  Enslow      2014  112p  $31.93  ISBN 978-0-7660-4166-0  ms  series: Inspiring Collective Biographies  Biography  VG-BNS 

Jazz is considered by musicians to be the one true American form of music. Here is a collection of brief biographies that follow the history of jazz from its more popular inception, in the age of Scott Joplin, to Wynton Marsalis. Ten distinguished jazz musicians are discussed in chronological order, following the path of jazz through the twentieth century.  Each biography discusses the personal life and musicality of the musician, placing each in historical context.  Black-and-white photographs appear throughout.  The chapter notes and bibliography found at the back of this book clearly illustrate the depth of research that went into its writing.  Also of value for any jazz aficionado is the discography, also found at the back of the book.  

The six titles in this series of collective biographies are all well researched and documented, and written with enough depth of information that they will be very good research resources as well as leisure reading for interest alone.     

Summary: Jazz is considered by musicians to be the one true American form of music. Here is a collection of brief biographies that follow the history of jazz from its more popular inception, in the age of Scott Joplin, to Wynton Marsalis.     

Jazz musicians                                              --Lynn Fisher