Bravo Mr. King! As a professional musician for over forty years, I am happy to discover that we finally have a writer whose diction, voice and obvious passion for jazz are worthy of this great American art form. The author's descriptions and analyses of the music, itself, and each component of style and instrumentation are first-rate. Mr. King delineates what every jazz musician inherently knows, but may not have the ability to articulate. This is a great book for players, and an even more important books for those wishing to understand this vibrant, dynamic musical genre.

Bravo Mr. King! As a professional musician for over forty years, I am happy to discover that we finally have a writer whose diction, voice and obvious passion for jazz are worthy of this great American art form. The author's descriptions and analyses of the music, itself, and each component of style and instrumentation are first-rate. Mr. King delineates what every jazz musician inherently knows, but may not have the ability to articulate. This is a great book for players, and an even more important book for those wishing to understand this vibrant, dynamic musical genre.

I have read and own many books about jazz history as well as "how-to" books on jazz. This book is the best overall that I have read. Mr. King makes you feel as if you are in a club listening to the music. He communicates the overall feeling of the music as he gives you the details into how the music comes together. At the end he gives analyses of 10 different songs that can be read as the songs are played. Overall, a terrific book.