The vibrant world of jazz may be viewed from many perspectives, from social and cultural history to musical analysis, from economics to ethnography. It is challenging and exciting territory. This volume of nineteen specially commissioned essays provides informed and accessible guidance to the challenge, offering the reader a range of expert views on the character, history and uses of jazz.

The book starts by considering what kind of identity jazz has acquired and how; it goes on to discuss the crucial practices that define jazz. It examines some specific moments of historical change and some important issues for jazz study. Finally, it looks at a set of perspectives that illustrate different 'takes' on jazz - ways in which jazz has been valued and presented.

CONTENTS:
A Brief Chronology of Jazz
The Word 'Jazz' - Krin Gabbard
PART I: Jazz Times
1. The Iidentity of Jazz - David Horn
2. The Jazz Diaspora - Bruce Johnson
3. The Jazz Audience - Jed Rasula
4. Jazz and Dance - Robert P. Crease
PART II: Jazz Practices
5. Jazz as Musical Practice - Travis A. Jackson
6. Jazz as Cultural Practice - Bruce Johnson
7. Jazz Improvisation - Ingrid Monson
8. Spontaneity and Organisation - Peter J. Martin
9. Jazz Among the Classics, and the Case of Duke Ellington - Mervyn Cooke
PART III: Jazz Changes
10. 1959: the Beginning of Beyond - Darius Brubeck
11. Free Jazz and the Avant-garde - Jeff Pressing
12. Fusions and Crossovers - Stuart Nicholson
PART IV: Soundings
13. Learning Jazz, Teaching Jazz - David Ake
14. History and Myth: the Problem of Early Jazz - David Sager
15. Analysing Jazz - Thomas Owens
PART V: Jazz Takes
16. Valuing Jazz - Robert Walser
17. The Jazz Business - Dave Laing
18. Images of Jazz - Krin Gabbard

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