Jazz: A Listener’s Guide (3rd Edition)

“Jazz: A Listener’s Guide (3rd Edition)” by James McCalla, published by Pearson on October 7, 1999, is a comprehensive introduction to jazz designed for those new to the genre. This edition, comprising 224 pages, presents jazz in a personal and informal style, making it accessible to readers without a musical background. The book emphasizes guiding the beginning listener’s ear rather than focusing on memorizing musical facts, introducing essential musical terms and concepts in relation to specific compositions.

Readers will find a wealth of information that enhances their understanding of jazz, including discussions on musical features and the timing of various elements within compositions. The guide includes nearly 200 musical selections, many of which are new to this edition, drawn from Smithsonian anthologies and contemporary commercial recordings. This resource is suitable for musicians seeking to refresh their knowledge of jazz history or for any music enthusiast eager to deepen their appreciation of the genre.