Praised by the Washington Post as a "tough, unblinked critic", James Lincoln Collier is probably the most controversial writer on jazz today. With the publication of "Jazz: The American Theme Song", Collier does nothing to soften his reputation for hard-hitting, incisive commentary. Questioning everything we think we know about jazz— its origins, its innovative geniuses, the importance of improvisation and spontaneous inspiration in a performance— and the jazz world, these ten provocative essays on the music and its place in American culture overturn tired assumptions and will alternately enrage, enlighten, and entertain.
"Jazz: The Americna Theme Song" offers music lovers razor-sharp analysis of musical trends and styles, and fearless explorations of the most potentially explosive issues in jazz today. Collier argues, for example, that although jazz was originally devised by African Americans from black folk music, jazz has long been a part of the cultural heritage... [More...] [Edit review] [Delete review]