The Story of Jazz

The paperback edition of "The Story of Jazz" shows noticeable wear. The spine is creased, and there is edge wear with some minor tears. The cover has some discoloration, and the pages show signs of aging but remain intact. Despite these flaws, the binding holds firm, and the text is clear, making it a usable and valuable copy for study or collection.

"The Story of Jazz" by Marshall W. Stearns, published by The New American Library in January 1963, is a comprehensive exploration of jazz's evolution. This third printing edition offers an expanded bibliography and a syllabus of fifteen lectures on jazz history, making it a valuable resource for both enthusiasts and scholars. Stearns, a renowned musicologist, delves into the influences of blues, minstrelsy, and the jazz movements of New Orleans, St. Louis, and Kansas City. The book includes personality sketches of jazz legends, a lively analysis of musical forms, and a chart of Afro-American music history. This edition, reprinted from the third Oxford edition with corrections, is a rare find for collectors interested in the historical context of jazz. The paperback format shows signs of wear, with a creased spine and some edge wear, but remains a significant piece for any jazz aficionado's library.