This broad and encompassing survey provides a rich, informative, and chronological study of jazz, with insightful commentaries on its origins, and full descriptions of the various styles of jazz and the personalities that have contributed to this innovative form of music. Discussions of benchmark styles with point-by-point differentiation cover early jazz, swing, bop, hard bop, cool jazz, “free” jazz, and jazz-rock fusion—highlighting the musical characteristics of each style and contrasting each successive era. For musicians and non-musicians alike—to increase their appreciation and enjoyment of jazz.