Big Band Jazz by Albert J. McCarthy is the definitive history of the golden age of jazz orchestras. This comprehensive volume chronicles the origins, rise, and eventual decline of the large ensembles that defined the sound of twentieth-century music. From the early syncopated groups and obscure territory bands to the celebrated Swing Kings of the 1940s and 1950s, McCarthy provides a scholarly yet accessible account of this vibrant musical era.
The book traces the evolution of big band jazz across the cultural landscape, spanning the backwaters of America to the iconic stages of New Orleans, Chicago, and New York. It features profiles of legendary pioneers, sidemen who achieved international fame, and the expatriate musicians who spread the music globally. Packed with more than 250 photographs, the text also includes an exhaustive index of over 3,000 musicians, as well as essential discographies and bibliographies. Whether you are a dedicated jazz enthusiast or a history lover, this encyclopaedic masterpiece offers an unparalleled look at the influential, sweeping sounds that shaped modern music history. A must-read for any serious collector of jazz literature.
Used (good, see images, some cover wear, cover fold, cover crease, some page folding, and some initial pages folding) Softcover ISBN 0425035352
