Rich in enecdote and insight, Jazz Matters is a collection of essays, profiles and reviews by Doug Ramsey, an observer and chronicler of jazz and its musicians for more than thirty years. It stirs the reader to discover or rediscover the music and performers Ramsey describes. His accounts of recording sessions and live performances enhance this excellent review of the history, variety and artistic depth that make jazz so profound an element in modern culture.

Jazz Matters gives the reader a basis for understanding jazz improvisation. Ramsey's sensitive, straightforward and entertaining pieces promote appreciation of the accomplishments of artists from Louis armstrong to John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

CONTENTS:
- Foreword; Preface; Introduction
- A Common Language
- Maturity
- Don't Shoot the Critic; He's Doing His Best
- Keeping Time with the CLU and Other Thoughts
- Stompin' by the Bayou
- The Uses of Tradition
- Prince Albert/Don Albert
- Clark Terry
- Art Farmer
- Miles Davis
- John Coltrane
- Cannonball Adderley
- Bebop
- Bud Powell
- Wardell Gray
- Seeing Red/Red Garland
- Woody Herman
- Bass Hit/Gene Ramey
- Freddie Hubbard
- George Benson and Jack McDuff
- The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Take Five with Paul Desmond; Twenty-fifth Anniversary Reunion; Remembering Desmond
- Thelonious Monk
- Charles Mingus
- John Handy
- Four Tenor Saxophonists: Lester Young; John Hardee; Ike Quebec; Budd Johnson
- Ben Webster
- Phil Woods
- Love for Sale
- Listener's Journal: Kai Winding; Chet Baker; Sam Most; Jimmy Rowles; Cedar Walton/Sam Jones
- Zoot Sims
- Dukes of Dixieland
- Gerry Mulligan
- Chet Baker
- Art Pepper
- Modern Jazz Quartet
- Duke Ellington
- Reviews from "Jazz Review": Lester Young; Gene Ammons; Frank Sinatra/Antonio Carlos Jobim
- Charles Lloyd
- Ornette Coleman
- George Russell
- Roswell Rudd
- Stan Getz/Laurindo Almeida
- Book Reviews
- A Few of My Favourite Things
- Index

DOUG RAMSEY writes regular columns on jazz in Jazz Times and other journals. He has published extensively in Down Beat, Jazz Monthly and other publications. His liner essays have accompanied many recordings.

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HARDBACK EDITION available