Are you looking for the Best Books About Jazz? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Books About Jazz can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Games Workshop, Nike, Penguin Random House, Victrola, WHSmith, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Books About Jazz available.
The average cost is $28.15. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $5.82 to a high of $73.16.
Based on the research we did, we think Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression: The Finest in Jazz Since 1939 [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Books About Jazz (19 Sellers)
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- The first official illustrated history of blue note, the most influential and important brand in jazz, published on the label's 75th anniversary.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Year published: 2014-11-03.
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- Solo jazz piano; savoring every note.
- Solo jazz piano; in a trio setting.
- Jimmy amadie trio; let's groove!
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- Binding type: hardback.
- Publisher: warner bros. publications inc.,u.s.
- Year published: 19971101.
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- Binding type: hardback
- Year published: 2017-03-01
- Number of pages: 54
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- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: advance music gmbh
- Year published: 20150901
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- Product details.
- Publication date: 03-05-2019.
- Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d).
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- Book/online audio
- Pages: 264
- Instrumentation: all instruments
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- Contains numerous jazz lines in the style of charlie parker
- Instructions for connecting scales
- Incorporation of e.g. ii-v-i progressions or turnarounds
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- Publisher: independently published
- Publisher date: 05/10/2018
- Dimensions: 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.5 centimeters (0
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- Binding type: paperback
- Published: 06/01/2022
- Publisher: berklee press publications
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- Category: jazz
- Sub category 1: jazz instruction
- Genre: jazz
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- Blue in green (toots thielemans)
- Blue train (john coltrane)
- Bright size life (jaco pastorius)
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- Number of pages: 66
- Genre: music
- Sub-genre: instruction & study
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- Binding type: hardback.
- Publisher: alfred publishing co inc.,u.s.
- Year published: 1988-12-31.
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- Around the horn
- Included are 21 scales and arpeggios every jazz musician needs to know based on the major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor modes
- Also included are specially designed etudes to open your ears and increase your modal awareness
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- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: william morrow & company
- Year published: 19801101
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- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: william morrow & company
- Year published: 19801101
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- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2008-07-07
- Number of pages: 432
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- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: oxford university press, usa
- Year published: 19860327
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- An instant classic! the definitive book on how to create beautiful jazz harmonies for any melody. a definitive study of harmony from someone who knows harmony. kenny werner david has a gift for…
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Features:
- The first official illustrated history of blue note, the most influential and important brand in jazz, published on the label's 75th anniversary.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Year published: 2014-11-03.
Features:
- Solo jazz piano; savoring every note.
- Solo jazz piano; in a trio setting.
- Jimmy amadie trio; let's groove!
Features:
- Binding type: hardback.
- Publisher: warner bros. publications inc.,u.s.
- Year published: 19971101.
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Year published: 2017-03-01
- Number of pages: 54
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: advance music gmbh
- Year published: 20150901
Features:
- Product details.
- Publication date: 03-05-2019.
- Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d).
Features:
- Book/online audio
- Pages: 264
- Instrumentation: all instruments
Features:
- Contains numerous jazz lines in the style of charlie parker
- Instructions for connecting scales
- Incorporation of e.g. ii-v-i progressions or turnarounds
Features:
- Publisher: independently published
- Publisher date: 05/10/2018
- Dimensions: 27.9 x 21.6 x 0.5 centimeters (0
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Published: 06/01/2022
- Publisher: berklee press publications
Features:
- Category: jazz
- Sub category 1: jazz instruction
- Genre: jazz
Features:
- Blue in green (toots thielemans)
- Blue train (john coltrane)
- Bright size life (jaco pastorius)
Features:
- Number of pages: 66
- Genre: music
- Sub-genre: instruction & study
Features:
- Binding type: hardback.
- Publisher: alfred publishing co inc.,u.s.
- Year published: 1988-12-31.
Features:
- Around the horn
- Included are 21 scales and arpeggios every jazz musician needs to know based on the major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor modes
- Also included are specially designed etudes to open your ears and increase your modal awareness
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: william morrow & company
- Year published: 19801101
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: william morrow & company
- Year published: 19801101
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2008-07-07
- Number of pages: 432
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: oxford university press, usa
- Year published: 19860327
Features:
- An instant classic! the definitive book on how to create beautiful jazz harmonies for any melody. a definitive study of harmony from someone who knows harmony. kenny werner david has a gift for…
1. Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression: The Finest In Jazz Since 1939 [Book]
Product Details:
The roster of greats who cut indelible sides for the label include miles davis, art blakey, thelonious monk, john coltrane, bud powell, ornette coleman, jimmy smith, norah jones, and many more. published for blue note's seventy-fifth anniversary, this landmark volume is the first official illustrated story of the label, from 1939 roots through its celebrated releases in the fifties and sixties to its renaissance today. featuring classic album artwork, unseen contact sheets, rare ephemera from the blue note archives, commentary from some of the biggest names in jazz today, and feature reviews of seventy-five key albums, this is the definitive book on the legendary label.
Specifications:
| Dimensions |
216 x 277 x 48mm | 2,220g |
| Publication City/Country |
London, United Kingdom |
| Language |
English |
| Illustrations note |
With over 600 illustrations |
Reviews:
Beautiful book, full of lovely photographs and terrific insights on this important label and its music.bough1
This book is an absolute must for any Blue Note aficionado. Beautifully written & illustrated, the book provides an in depth view of the history and it's continuing evolution of Blue Note, one of the greatest contributors to recorded jazz music.sinomos
Definitive history of one of the greatest record record labels.jpm8john
2. Harmonic Foundation For Jazz & Popular Music: The Amadiean Creed, A Unique Method For Creating Chord Voicings And Harmonizing A Melody : Text And Workbook For Individual Or Class Instruction [Book]
Product Details:
The front cover is slight faded and discoloured from sunlight and a little staining on the lower left-hand corner. the corners have suffered some scuffing some small creases as well as some indents and dinks across the top and righ-hand side. the back cover is in similar condition just slightly lessened and less discolouration. no damage to the pages inside, they appear to be in as new condition.
Specifications:
| Binding |
Spiral-bound |
| Language |
English |
| Publication Year |
2009 |
| Length |
0.5 inch |
3. Jerry Coker's Complete Method For Improvisation: For All Instruments [Book]
Product Details:
This uniquely organized method devotes a thorough chapter to each of the prevailing tune-types of jazz—standard, bebop, modal, blues, contemporary, ballad and free form—listing and discussing their characteristics and illustrating approaches to understanding and performing each type of tune. includes cd.
Specifications:
| Binding / Edition |
Paperback; Paperback/cd Re |
| Dimensions (inches) |
12.00 (H) x 9.25 (W) x 0.25 (D) |
| Date of Publication |
Nov 1, 1997 |
| Dewey Decimal Classification |
781 |
| Product Genre/Category |
Music / Instruction & Study / General |
Reviews:
This is a very helpful book for anyone struggling to get to grips with what is needed to improve their improvisatory skills. Everything I have read by Jerry Coker has been good and this is no exception.audiophile-uk
4. Easy Jazz Hanon: 50 Exercises For The Beginning To Intermediate Pianist [Book]
Product Details:
This one-on-one lesson with musicians institute instructor peter deneff features 50 exercises for the beginning to intermediate level pianist, covering: bebop lines * chord symbols * chord voicings * melodic and harmonic exercises * musical and useful melodic patterns * swing 8ths * and more. makes a good warmup! the price of this book includes access to backing tracks online, for download or streaming. the audio is accessed online using the unique code inside each book and can be streamed or downloaded. the audio files include playback+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Release Date |
March 2017 |
| Length |
56 Pages |
| Dimensions |
0.2" x 9.0" x 12.0" |
Reviews:
A marvelous way to introduce jazz to beginner/intermediate pianists. I've had so much fun with these exercises. As a teacher, I'll be using this book with my students.Audrey
5. Intermediate Jazz Conception Alto & Baritone Saxophone: 15 Great Solo Etudes For Jazz Style And Improvisation. Alt- Und Bariton-Saxophon. Lehrbuch.
Product Details:
Intermediate jazz conception is another addition to the popular series of etude books created by jim snidero, featuring some of the finest jazz musicians in the world. this book/audio-download set includes 15 solo etudes based on standards, modal tunes and blues, demonstrated by jim snidero on alto sax with the incredibly swinging rhythm section of dave hazeltine on piano, peter washington on bass and kenny washington on drums. new to intermediate jazz conception is an appendix dedicated to style and improvisation, including a scales syllabus, nomenclature, and over 95 lines and ideas extracted for the study of improvisation! the recording features two separate versions of each etude; one with the soloist and rhythm section and one with the rhythm section only. hear how the soloist performs the etudes, play with or without the soloist on the audio recordings, and learn about both jazz style and improvisation from some of the best. other series available by jim snidero: easy jazz conception and jazz conception.a talented musician, musical advocate and educator … a genuinely significant figure in jazz composition penguin guide to jazza master musician down beat magazine
Specifications:
| Dimensions |
230 x 302 x 12mm | 272.16g |
| Publication City/Country |
Mainz a Rhein, Germany |
| Language |
English |
| Edition Statement |
Bilingual |
| Illustrations note |
w. music and chord symb |
Reviews:
Différent mais de même nature que d'autres manuels de ce genre.Dijo
6. 100 Things Jazz Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die [Book]
Product Details:
With traditions, records, and lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every jazz fan should know. it contains crucial information such as important dates, behind-the-scenes tales, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by players like john stockton, karl malone, mehmet okur, and adrian dantley. whether you're a lifelong supporter from the early days in salt lake city or a more recent fan, this is the ultimate resource guide for all jazz faithful.
Reviews:
Very interesting book with lots of information and stories about the jazz. Loved it !
7. The Berklee Book Of Jazz Harmony [Book]
Product Details:
Learn jazz harmony, as taught at berklee college of music. this text provides a strong foundation in harmonic principles, supporting further study in jazz composition, arranging, and improvisation. it covers basic chord types and their tensions, with practical demonstrations of how they are used in characteristic jazz contexts and an accompanying recording that lets you hear how they can be applied. the price of this book includes access to audio tracks online, for download or streaming, using the unique code inside the book. the audio features playback+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right available exclusively from hal leonard.
Reviews:
Great book – essential if you don't automatically understand how jazz actually worksleenewtonpaul
Too many thanks for this treasure.shapovalovsasha
The Berklee Book of Jazz Harmony explains the complexities of jazz harmony in a step by step manner. From fundamental concepts it covers blues harmony in a jazz context right up to modal harmony. It breaks down some well known Jazz standards to explain the concepts involved. The CD shows how all the concepts sound in action. I've learned a lot from this book, a lot of mysteries have been explained. I can't recommend it highly enough. Steve Jmercia52
8. Essential Jazz Lines: The Style Of Charlie Parker, Guitar Edition [Book]
Product Details:
Charlie parker was arguably one of the most influential jazz musicians to have ever lived. this text presents numerous jazz lines in charlie's style, grouped by their application in a given harmonic content. students will learn to connect lines to play over ii-v-i progressions, turnarounds and other harmonic frameworks. to facilitate proficiency in all twelve keys, each section of the book has a chordal play-along that modulates around the circle of fourths. some of the techniques used in the charlie parker style will also be discussed with examples provided. this will help musicians analyze each of the ideas presented, further ensuring their mastery. includes access to online audio.
Specifications:
| Binding |
Paperback |
| Dimensions (inches) |
11.00 (H) x 8.50 (W) x 0.11 (D) |
| Date of Publication |
Dec 4, 2015 |
| Dewey Decimal Classification |
781 |
| Library of Congress Classification |
MT |
| Product Genre/Category |
Music / Instruction & Study / General |
9. Chord Tone Improvisation: A Practical Method For Playing On Jazz Standards – Volume 1: Approaching Major And Minor Triads: Volume 1: Approaching [Book]
Product Details:
Whether you're just starting to learn to improvise, or you've been struggling for years to make musical sense of the complex jargon typically associated with jazz education, this book will get you playing great, idiomatic straight-ahead jazz lines over chord changes by teaching you how to target the chord tones of the simple major and minor triads with 1, 2, and 3 note approaches.
Specifications:
| Item Length |
11in |
| Publication Year |
2018 |
| Language |
English |
| Item Height |
0.2in |
| Item Width |
8.5in |
10. Modern Jazz Theory And Practice: The Post-Bop Era – Book With Online Audio By Steve Rochinski [Book]
Product Details:
(berklee guide). learn to use and understand advanced jazz harmony! this book reveals the post-bop jazz innovations established by such iconic jazz artists as john coltrane, wayne shorter, clare fischer, herbie hancock, and chick corea, as taught at berklee college of music. you will learn techniques such as multitonic systems, the principles of non-functional pattern development, unusual use of deceptive motion and resolution of dominants, frequent modulation, use of specialized voicing techniques, and tension-driven melody/harmony relationships. you will learn to: construct advanced jazz sonorities and contexts; build sophisticated, expressive melodies based on advancedchord progressions; understand how chord progressions relate to the psychology ofmusical expectation; articulate nuanced musical sensibilities for harmonicobscurity, surprise, and ambiguity; use characteristic post-bop conceptual approaches to harmonicprogressions, such as multitonic systems and the axis system; create non-functional chord patterns, with depth and clearcontour; and more!
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Release Date |
June 2022 |
| Length |
80 Pages |
| Dimensions |
0.3" x 9.0" x 12.0" |
11. A Simple And Direct Guide To Jazz Improvisation: A Concise, Easy-To-Understand Manual For Playing Jazz In The Bebop Style [Book]
Product Details:
Helps musicians know what to do with specific chords in specific contexts. lays out clear and objective guidelines on how to turn scales and chords into real music. perfect for a college or high school improvisation class!
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Release Date |
August 1995 |
| Length |
60 Pages |
| Dimensions |
0.3" x 8.5" x 11.0" |
12. The Real Jazz Solos Book: C Instruments [Book]
Product Details:
This amazing collection transcribes nearly 150 of the best-known jazz solos (regardless of the instrument) exactly as recorded by icons of the trade, including: autumn leaves (chet baker) * blue in green (toots thielemans) * blue train (john coltrane) * bright size life (jaco pastorius) * dolphin dance (herbie hancock) * footprints (wayne shorter) * i do it for your love (bill evans) * i mean you (thelonious monk) * isreal (bill evans) * k.c. blues (charlie parker) * milestones (miles davis) * new orleans (wynton marsalis) * nuages (django reinhardt) * quiet nights of quiet stars (oscar peterson) * spring ain't here (pat metheny) * stella by starlight (ray brown) * waltz for debby (cannonball adderley) * west end blues (louis armstrong) * and many more. some songs are presented multiple times featuring the unique solos by different artists who performed them.
Specifications:
| Binding / Edition |
Plastic Comb; Spiral-bound |
| Dimensions (inches) |
11.25 (H) x 9.25 (W) x 1.10 (D) |
| Date of Publication |
Feb 1, 2014 |
| Dewey Decimal Classification |
781 |
| Library of Congress Classification |
ML |
| Product Genre/Category |
Music / Genres & Styles / Jazz |
13. The Jazz Cookbook [Book]
Product Details:
It startsout with basic jazz chords, and then presents beginner level songs like"mack the knife". the book is divided into five chapters: !) seventhchords, 2) the ii-v-i progression, 3) voicing the chords, 4) jazz modes, and 5) using modes in a song. there are some standard songs includedsuch as "over the rainbow" and "dearly beloved".
14. David Baker's Jazz Improvisation: A Comprehensive Method For All Musicians [Book]
Product Details:
Jazz improvisation focuses on the communicative and technical aspects of improvisation and makes an excellent resource for both pros and aspiring improvisers. assimilate and execute chord progressions, substitutions, turn arounds, and construct a melody and jazz chorus.
15. Around The Horn: 21 Modal Scales And Arpeggios Every Jazz Musician Needs To Know [Book]
Product Details:
From the esteemed author of intervalic improvisation: the modern sound, this book is the most thorough and exhaustive study of scales and arpeggios ever assembled. included are 21 scales and arpeggios every jazz musician needs to know based on the major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor modes. also included are specially-designed etudes to open your ears and increase your modal awareness. this book will allow any instrumentalist to gain facility and a solid understanding of modes, how they work, and how to best use them in practice and performance. 204 pages.
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Dimensions |
9.0 x 0.75 x 11.0 inches |
Reviews:
Comprehensive and well organized. I love that it's spiral bound.Charly
16. The 101 Best Jazz Albums: A History Of Jazz On Records [Book]
Product Details:
The first and only history of jazz based on actual available recordings as well as a listeners' guide to building a jazz record collection.
Specifications:
| Format/binding |
Paperback |
| Binding |
Paperback |
| Place |
New York |
Reviews:
i really like this book. this was the 2nd purchase of this book. i brought it to give too a friend as a gift. i dislike nothing about this book. i brought it because of the price.oluwashegun123
17. The 101 Best Jazz Albums: A History Of Jazz On Records [Book]
Product Details:
The first and only history of jazz based on actual available recordings as well as a listeners' guide to building a jazz record collection.
Specifications:
| Format/binding |
Paperback |
| Binding |
Paperback |
| Place |
New York |
Reviews:
i really like this book. this was the 2nd purchase of this book. i brought it to give too a friend as a gift. i dislike nothing about this book. i brought it because of the price.oluwashegun123
18. The Best Of Jazz [Book]
Product Details:
A must for the novice jazz fan and aficionado alike, in this highly original work humphrey lyttleton, a noted authority, goes right back to the roots of jazz, discussing key figures from the early new orleans and chicago scenes and beyond, highlighting key figures, unique styles and the greatest recordings through a thirty year period that defined jazz music. the inimitable humph provides plenty of lively historical background and tells insightful anecdotes often taken from the reminiscences of the musicians involved. 'the best of jazz', a compendium of two original works on the subject, is split into analysis of distinct eras pre- and post-1931 – ''basin street to harlem'', and ''enter the giants'', moving from the ground-breaking early jazz bands to the rise of revolutionary individual musicians. it is an ideal companion work to 'it just occurred to me' (isbn: 9781905798179) – humph's earlier, much-loved book of reminiscences and thoughts on his life and career. artists discussed in the book include louis armstrong, jelly roll morton, fats waller, duke ellington, bix beiderbecke, bessie smith, coleman hawkins, art tatum, billie holliday and many others.
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Release Date |
July 2008 |
| Length |
423 Pages |
| Dimensions |
1.3" x 5.4" x 8.3" |
Reviews:
Definitely worth readingJEFFREY S.
19. With Louis And The Duke: The Autobiography Of A Jazz Clarinetist [Book]
Product Details:
"there was something different about him. ellington made you feel so much at ease. just like he was going to turn the music business upside down and you would be part of it." clarinetist barney bigard was a part of it, and with louis and the duke is his own story of life at the top of thejazz world. a member of the band from its early days, barney bigard played with duke ellington for fourteen years, stopping only when the pace of international touring began to tire him. a few years later, in los angeles, he began a long association with louis armstrong's newly-formed small band, the allstars. without resorting to technical language, bigard is able to analyze the different musical approaches armstrong and ellington took, and to make the reader feel the vitality of the jazz form as it was practiced by its two greatest geniuses. in direct and rhythmic language that recalls his own playing, bigard introduces the reader to hundreds of jazz musicians, from "kid" ory and jelly roll morton to jack teagarden and charlie mingus. with louis and the duke give the intimate feel of witty and loving remembrances, as well as classic"backstage" stories. it includes bigard's personal collection of photographs, many of them never before published. about the author: barney bigard was a major jazz clarinetist. he died in 1980 after writing and dictating this book, which was edited by barry martyn. barry martyn has been a bandleader and drummer for almost thirty years and has written extensively on new orleans jazz and jazz musicians.
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Release Date |
March 1986 |
| Length |
162 Pages |
| Dimensions |
0.7" x 6.4" x 9.6" |
Reviews:
Optimal reference about jazz,clarinet and New orleans.The jazz New Orleans contains the essence of the music that contains no other musical genre,the free creation.aljazzclarinet45
20. The Jazz Harmony Book
Product Details:
An instant classic! the definitive book on how to create beautiful jazz harmonies for any melody. a definitive study of harmony from someone who knows harmony. kenny werner david has a gift for explaining complex ideas and guiding musicians along the path of learning jazz harmony. this book is invaluable! michael philip mossman very comprehensive one of the better books i've seen on the subject. fred hersch david knows his stuff, and his book and mine compliment each other well. mark levinestarting from the most basic harmonic situations and progressing to contemporary jazz harmony, this book shows how to uncover the best choices for chords to accompany any melody. the jazz harmony book is a serious study of the fundamentals of jazz harmony.topics covered include:basic functional harmony, diatonic substitutes, secondary dominants, passing chords, diminished harmony, tritone substitutes, non-functional approaches to harmonizing melodies including quartal harmony, color chords, harmonizing basslines, pedals, slash chords, unavailable tensions and more! not just a dry textbook, it is an engaging and witty guide to developing a more nuanced sense of harmonic color, drama and movement. the jazz harmony book is a course in the process of adding chords to melodies, in understanding how a single melody can give rise to rich harmonic variations. this book will help you learn to speak the language of harmony, to learn the changes of standard tunes, to better understand and create the 'right' chord progressions to these songs, to re-harmonize songs freely in the manner of great jazz artists like hank jones, thelonious monk, art tatum, oscar peterson, bill evans, chick corea, brad mehldau, herbie hancock, duke ellington, gil evans, thad jones, joe pass, jim hall and john scofield. includes 2 cds of the author playing many of the written examples in the book. 206 pages. $32 list price.
Specifications:
| Language |
English |
| Spiral-bound |
206 pages |
| Dimensions |
8.86 x 0.67 x 11.26 inches |
