DownBeat - The Great Jazz Interviews: A 75th Anniversary Anthology

Downbeat, one of the oldest and best jazz magazines still publishing, collects a wide variety of interviews from their beginning into a volume that can be read chronologically or piecemeal. All the most important musical innovators and performers (Armstrong, Ellington, Monk, Parker et al) are here, and the writing is uniformly excellent. Numerous excellent photos from the magazine illustrate the interviews, and though the writing is aimed at veteran jazz fans, this collection would make a great introduction to "America's classical music" for newer fans, too. I had been interested in getting this since it was published, and it is great to finally have a volume I will keep handy as a future reference. Highly recommended.

I'm enjoying these interviews. Only wish they focused a bit more on the older, 1940s, 1950s, jazz instead of including several rock musicians.

This is a compendium of articles from years of DownBeat magazines. Different authors and different levels of erudition from so the result is some great articles, some very good, a few not so much. In all, though, it is a worthwhile glimpse of jazz artists from the past. It is worth reading for those who want to get a sense of the personalities of a variety of people, but don't want the in depth perspective that more fleshed out profiles would have provided. It could be labeled superficial by those expecting too much. Again it is a series of magazine articles.

I bought this for my Pop Pop who is a Jazz connoisseur (in his head) and he LOVED it. It’s rare that we get to see him smile but you can tell this book and the information with in brought back great memories for him. He shares new insights from this book with us regularly beaming with joy. Grateful for this book and the moment it created in my family.

Absolutely brilliant book. Soft bound. 310 glossy, shiny pages and photos. As big as any magazine: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Playboy, Sports Illustrated. Small font. Not divided into "chapters", but divided into decades from 1930 to present day. This is more of a reference book, source material. The "interviews" aren't really Q&A, some of it are like newspaper reports, articles, personal journals from the artist's themselves, historical background. From a few short paragraphs, a few columns to several pages in length. My one and only criticism is there isn't a volume Two or Three!

Hard bop is the focus I'd like to see in a future Downbeat book but covering Jelly Roll to Joshua Redman makes for an educational and fun read in this edition. Highly recommended, just hoping for future editions that highlight specific eras. Put the spotlight on Miles, Mobley, Blakey and all the other kings of bop next time please I beg...

Beautiful book! It was a gift, and the recipient loves it. It has lots of neat facts and informative tidbits. I highly recommend as a special gift for that jazz lover who has everything!

Large format,soft cover,with the articles/interviews arranged in chronological order,starting in the 1930's through the 2000's. The soft cover is substantial and would hold up to some wear. There is no index,so the 350 or so pages of interviews/overviews is pretty much true. This is another fine collection of interviews/articles published in conjunction with DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE,the "bible" of jazz. The focus is on jazz artists in the DOWNBEAT Hall of Fame. Frank Alkyer-publisher,and Ed Enright-editor of DOWNBEAT have chosen wisely for this 75th anniversary publication. While some long-time readers of the magazine,or jazz listeners may quibble over the omission of a favorite artist/artists,the many featured musicians in this book give a fine overview of both jazz from it's (arguable beginning),and as a history of DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE. Following the publication,in conjunction with DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE,of the fine "The Miles Davis Reader",a number of years ago,this collection takes in most of the greatest names in jazz,past and present. While many more musicians could have been included,the artists here form a solid foundation of jazz. From jazz's beginnings,featured artists such as W.C. Handy,Louis Armstrong,Jelly Roll Morton,Duke Ellington (1930's),through Woody Herman,Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, T-Bone Walker,Stan Kenton,Lester Young,Dizzy Gillespie,Charlie Parker (1940's),into the 1950's with Les Paul,Chet Baker,Lennie Tristano,Oscar Peterson,John Coltrane,Roy Eldridge,to Joe Williams,Ornette Coleman,Paul Desmond,Bill Evans,Art Tatum,Ella Fitzgerald,Thelonious Monk,Miles Davis,Muddy Waters (1960's),to "Cannonball" Adderley,Roland Kirk,Charles Mingus,Tom Waits,Frank Zappa,WEATHER REPORT,Stevie Wonder (1970's),to Freddie Hubbard,Brian Eno,Tony Williams,Keith Jarrett,Carla Bley,Henry Threadgill,Carlos Santana (1980,s),to Joe Henderson,Stephane Grapelli,Joshua Redman,Van Morrison,Joni Mitchell,Betty Carter,Steve Lacy (1990's),through Tony Bennett,Hank Jones,Dave Brubeck,James Brown (2000's),and many,many more,together present the history of jazz. The many black and white (and few color) photographs,many not seen for years,adds depth and emphasis to the thoughts of these artists. Sprinkled throughout are (small) color reproductions of DOWNBEAT covers from various years. The opinions on jazz in the articles and a few "Blindfold Tests",(different from the interviews),by musicians from the period,are interesting and attest to the aches and pains jazz went through (and is still going through),with a number of dissenting opinions and criticisms (read both 60's articles by "Cannonball" Adderley and Charles Mingus concerning Ornette Coleman as an example) on the course and future of jazz. This is a book that could sit on anyone's jazz shelf. For someone new to jazz,there's much information which would lead to some great jazz listening. For the long-time jazz listener/reader,this book is a compendium of jazz history,in chronological order,which reinforces why we listen to jazz in the first place. DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE has done a fine job delving into it's vast archives,something they alone are uniquely qualified to do. In bringing together the history of a true American musical genre,through the thoughts of the very musicians who created (and are still creating) so much fine music,into one collection,is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. DOWNBEAT has done it.

Paid as gift for 18 yr old who is in college for music JAZZ is his life. He loved it I wanted to keep for myself. Bound nicely pages are awesome and the information in these artist is fun seems informative. Great to display

Bought as a gift for a friend. It is a beautiful coffee table quality book with historical photos of the jazz greats of the past.

Downbeat, one of the oldest and best jazz magazines still publishing, collects a wide variety of interviews from their beginning into a volume that can be read chronologically or piecemeal. All the most important musical innovators and performers (Armstrong, Ellington, Monk, Parker et al) are here, and the writing is uniformly excellent. Numerous excellent photos from the magazine illustrate the interviews, and though the writing is aimed at veteran jazz fans, this collection would make a great introduction to "America's classical music" for newer fans, too. I had been interested in getting this since it was published, and it is great to finally have a volume I will keep handy as a future reference. Highly recommended.

I'm enjoying these interviews. Only wish they focused a bit more on the older, 1940s, 1950s, jazz instead of including several rock musicians.

This is a compendium of articles from years of DownBeat magazines. Different authors and different levels of erudition from so the result is some great articles, some very good, a few not so much. In all, though, it is a worthwhile glimpse of jazz artists from the past. It is worth reading for those who want to get a sense of the personalities of a variety of people, but don't want the in depth perspective that more fleshed out profiles would have provided. It could be labeled superficial by those expecting too much. Again it is a series of magazine articles.

I bought this for my Pop Pop who is a Jazz connoisseur (in his head) and he LOVED it. It’s rare that we get to see him smile but you can tell this book and the information with in brought back great memories for him. He shares new insights from this book with us regularly beaming with joy. Grateful for this book and the moment it created in my family.

Absolutely brilliant book. Soft bound. 310 glossy, shiny pages and photos. As big as any magazine: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Playboy, Sports Illustrated. Small font. Not divided into "chapters", but divided into decades from 1930 to present day. This is more of a reference book, source material. The "interviews" aren't really Q&A, some of it are like newspaper reports, articles, personal journals from the artist's themselves, historical background. From a few short paragraphs, a few columns to several pages in length. My one and only criticism is there isn't a volume Two or Three!

Hard bop is the focus I'd like to see in a future Downbeat book but covering Jelly Roll to Joshua Redman makes for an educational and fun read in this edition. Highly recommended, just hoping for future editions that highlight specific eras. Put the spotlight on Miles, Mobley, Blakey and all the other kings of bop next time please I beg...

Beautiful book! It was a gift, and the recipient loves it. It has lots of neat facts and informative tidbits. I highly recommend as a special gift for that jazz lover who has everything!

Large format,soft cover,with the articles/interviews arranged in chronological order,starting in the 1930's through the 2000's. The soft cover is substantial and would hold up to some wear. There is no index,so the 350 or so pages of interviews/overviews is pretty much true. This is another fine collection of interviews/articles published in conjunction with DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE,the "bible" of jazz. The focus is on jazz artists in the DOWNBEAT Hall of Fame. Frank Alkyer-publisher,and Ed Enright-editor of DOWNBEAT have chosen wisely for this 75th anniversary publication. While some long-time readers of the magazine,or jazz listeners may quibble over the omission of a favorite artist/artists,the many featured musicians in this book give a fine overview of both jazz from it's (arguable beginning),and as a history of DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE. Following the publication,in conjunction with DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE,of the fine "The Miles Davis Reader",a number of years ago,this collection takes in most of the greatest names in jazz,past and present. While many more musicians could have been included,the artists here form a solid foundation of jazz. From jazz's beginnings,featured artists such as W.C. Handy,Louis Armstrong,Jelly Roll Morton,Duke Ellington (1930's),through Woody Herman,Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, T-Bone Walker,Stan Kenton,Lester Young,Dizzy Gillespie,Charlie Parker (1940's),into the 1950's with Les Paul,Chet Baker,Lennie Tristano,Oscar Peterson,John Coltrane,Roy Eldridge,to Joe Williams,Ornette Coleman,Paul Desmond,Bill Evans,Art Tatum,Ella Fitzgerald,Thelonious Monk,Miles Davis,Muddy Waters (1960's),to "Cannonball" Adderley,Roland Kirk,Charles Mingus,Tom Waits,Frank Zappa,WEATHER REPORT,Stevie Wonder (1970's),to Freddie Hubbard,Brian Eno,Tony Williams,Keith Jarrett,Carla Bley,Henry Threadgill,Carlos Santana (1980,s),to Joe Henderson,Stephane Grapelli,Joshua Redman,Van Morrison,Joni Mitchell,Betty Carter,Steve Lacy (1990's),through Tony Bennett,Hank Jones,Dave Brubeck,James Brown (2000's),and many,many more,together present the history of jazz. The many black and white (and few color) photographs,many not seen for years,adds depth and emphasis to the thoughts of these artists. Sprinkled throughout are (small) color reproductions of DOWNBEAT covers from various years. The opinions on jazz in the articles and a few "Blindfold Tests",(different from the interviews),by musicians from the period,are interesting and attest to the aches and pains jazz went through (and is still going through),with a number of dissenting opinions and criticisms (read both 60's articles by "Cannonball" Adderley and Charles Mingus concerning Ornette Coleman as an example) on the course and future of jazz. This is a book that could sit on anyone's jazz shelf. For someone new to jazz,there's much information which would lead to some great jazz listening. For the long-time jazz listener/reader,this book is a compendium of jazz history,in chronological order,which reinforces why we listen to jazz in the first place. DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE has done a fine job delving into it's vast archives,something they alone are uniquely qualified to do. In bringing together the history of a true American musical genre,through the thoughts of the very musicians who created (and are still creating) so much fine music,into one collection,is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. DOWNBEAT has done it.

Paid as gift for 18 yr old who is in college for music JAZZ is his life. He loved it I wanted to keep for myself. Bound nicely pages are awesome and the information in these artist is fun seems informative. Great to display

Bought as a gift for a friend. It is a beautiful coffee table quality book with historical photos of the jazz greats of the past.

👍

Exceptional, thorough anthology. I used this for a non-fiction research project for middle school students who researched Jazz artists and wrote biographies.

A truly must-have addition to the Jazz library. Even if you have never set eyes on "Downbeat" magazine, this compilation of interviews will make you take notice for what they are, a verbal history of Jazz in America. The photography is also stunning, and complements the prose beautifully. One of the best Jazz items I have ever purchased besides the music itself. If you are a Jazz fan or simply have an interest in American Music from the 30's through the 2000's, this book will not disappoint. It is divided into decades so that you can walk through the interviews on a nice timeline. It's a fantastic compilation.

Very interesting to go back in time and see how this music was seen by insiders. Personally, I most most interested in 30-'s-40's and less in the newer stuff.

Fun to read the interviews with these jazz (and other genres) musicians. Has some good photos too.

Great book, well written, interviewers ask some interesting questions that kept me wanting to keep reading without putting the book down!

the book was a gift for my Boss and he loved it

Great addition to library

A really nice book; Some great photo's of some of my favorites, and there are very interesting interviews; one gets a better idea of how some of the greats, thought/think. This book is certainly worth the money, and I highly recommend it. I just wish I could have gotten this book in hard cover, but then the price might have been out of my reach?

As a former regular reader of Downbeat, it was great to dig back into some of the best jazz interviews ever written. I have tried to ration the number of interviews that I read at one sitting, but find it quite difficult to do as the writing is so fantastic and really looks at the personalities of the interviewees, rather than just their playing traits. Nat Hentoff should get a Pulitizer Prize for his outstanding work for Downbeat over the years. I have several individuals who may receive this book from me for Christmas. However, I do not plan on letting my copy wander very far from my eager eyes.

Excellent bok about the great interviews covered for a great jazz magazine.

This is a gift for a jazz musician. He appreciates adding to his library.

a++=

This is an awesome stroll down the great magazine Downbeat's compilation of interviews. As a past subscriber to Downbeat, and avid Jazz listener I enjoyed this book and know that anyone who was familiar with the beautiful and professional way that the magazine was presented will enjoy this book.

This item was purchased for a class project and am able to share it with classmates. Great resource for Jazz fans..

Let the book speak for itself

bought for a friend who is a great jazz fan and he absolutely loved it

Review on separate page..

This also was a gift for a good friend who couldn't put it down. Anyone who loves jazz would love this.

Wonderful collection of articles many written by the great jazz legends themselves! Own some real history. I have the book version but the kindle is easier to read!

Great Interviews - well worth reading for Jazz and all music fans of all ages. Recommend highly - glad I go it

GREAT TO HEAR FROM THE REAL PERSON ON THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT jAZZ. great!!! i USE THIS WHEN LEARNING ABOUT jAZZ SONGS .

A Complete book of Jazz.

When I ordered the book, I couldn't wait to get it! When I received it, I was really thrilled and when I opened it, well, it was not was I was expecting but... much more!!! The list of the jazz giants is amazing, this book will be very useful to my studies, besides being a very interesting and pleasent reading.

Bought this book for my dad, a real music snob, for Christmas. He likes it!

Great compilation of content from over the whole spectrum of Jazz.

Beautifully illustrated. Truly. The interviews with jazz greats are interesting, enlightening and entertaining.

This is a gift for someone.

This is a wonderful book of interviews of musicians who have contributed to our only native music. This should be in every jazz lover's collection. I highly recommend it.

I bought this for a great guy who grew up in the early years of jazz. I think he was waiting for our visit to end so he could start reading...I could tell he didn't want to put it down after he received it! Cool to have one's gift so appreciated. If you love jazz or know someone who does, this is a great gift and a fun read.

I agree with all comments by reviewers. An essential publication for all, even those with less than passionate interest in the art form. One matter denying 5 stars - would have loved an index at the end.

Great book. Very happy with it.

A great collection of interviews of Jazz greatest members. If you're a Jazz fan, it's a Gotta Have!

The word "jazz" covers a multitude of sins, and this handsome anthology, which spans the years 1935 to 2008, manages to cover most of them, at the rate of a dozen selected interviews a year. So it can be read from cover to cover, or you can browse to your heart's content. There are some surprising juxtapositions; Glenn Miller is followed by Joe "King" Oliver, and John Coltrane by Mahalia Jackson. Some appear twice; Armstrong, Ellington and Goodman, for example, others not at all. You'll find Sinatra and Nat "King" Cole, but neither Crosby nor Astaire. An index would have been welcome, but that is to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Great product. My dad loved it, it has really nice chapters

I received this book as a gift from my wife. It really is packed with a lot of very interesting Downbeat interviews all the way from Louis Armstrong to Harry Connick. The book is in chronological order, broken down by decade. If you like jazz there is surely something in here that will interest you.

A timeless treasure that should be in everyone's library.

This is a wonderful gift for someone who loves jazz. This book includes interviews with the greatest jazz stars of our time. I highly recommend!

Well worth the money, and a must for any self-proclaimed jazz historian!

Great book. Probably should be 20.00 vs 36.00, but deep color printing somewhat makes up for this. Priceless interviews of many eras.

If you have an interest in 20th century music and the musicians that played and created some of the very best of it buy this book. Great writing, great pictures and some intimate and surprising portrayals of musicians by musicians. Some surprising inclusions too like the interview with Brian Eno as he begins his post-Roxy Music explorations in sound. Simply brilliant.

A full and complete History of Jazz, up to date of publication. A great insight to the Jazz greats.

This was a present to my husband who thought it was great, thank you