John Robert Brown presents an enthusiastic and authoritative account of a century of jazz. Written in a clear and engaging style by a well-known British author

The history of jazz dance is best understood by comparing it to a tree. The art form's roots are African. Its trunk is vernacular, shaped by European influence,

What was the first jazz record? Are jazz solos really improvised? How did jazz lay the groundwork for rock and country music? In Why Jazz?, author and NPR jazz