Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz and Blues, Awesome!

kennyc

not Jazz types, Jazz musicians

The Illustrated (275+ album covers; 150+ photos) Encyclopedia of Jazz is an alphabetical listing of Jazz Artists published in 1978. Authors: Brian Case and Stan Britt, Consultant Joseph Abend.

Masters of Concisement: Date and place of birth, moved to …. Started …. Played with…. Influenced by ….. Switched Instruments …… always ending with a list of LP recordings, as member or leader.

Most of the LPs noted are Mono, as so many greats were born early 1900’s, many died early before Stereo LPs began in 1958. Many great artists have both Mono and Stereo LPs. This encyclopedia will result in me adding more Mono LPs to the herd.

This will compel you to add a Mono Cartridge to your Vinyl System. I lucked into it: 1^st reading mono cartridge advice here; next buying a large JVC Plinth so I could get a long arm (my initial objective, got 12.5” effective), next adding a second tonearm with removable headshell and easy arm height adjustment. Finally I added a compact 3^rd arm.

That is why I highly recommend starting/moving to a TT with the OPTION of a second arm. It’s a gift you give yourself:

Stereo MC; Stereo MM; Mono (mm or mc) ready to go in an instant, mixing Mono and Stereo in a listening session. Play friend’s cartridges here.

Off my soap box, the book my friend left me is wonderful.

@kennyc  - Books won't be much help.  Even for an individual jazz musician the music can vary so much from album to album that you just have to listen and see if it's your kind of jazz.  Streaming is very helpful for jazz.  Lots of different albums to try and recommendations for more music with the ones you do like. 

What kind of jazz are you looking for?  Is there anything you've heard that you like?

I tried to research types of jazz, but got confused with over 30 types. 
Will this book be helpful?

billstevenson

328 posts

02-24-2024 at 06:26pm 

Thanks for sharing.  It really does look like a nice book.  I was disappointed to discover how expensive it would be to buy one considering how long it has been out of print.

used: $2.19 usd

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=9780861010134&n=100121503&cm_sp=mbc-_-ISBN-_-used

This is a great read!!

If you get a chance watch the Ken Burns documentary "Jazz" Very enjoyable. I think he spends a bit too much time with Lois Armstrong and give Bill Evans short shrift, but otherwise does a good job otherwise.  

Thanks for sharing.  It really does look like a nice book.  I was disappointed to discover how expensive it would be to buy one considering how long it has been out of print.  I wish some publisher would get interested in a new edition.  My New Grove is long past due for an up date too.  Unfortunately Jazz is not selling well.  Anyway, enjoy your book.