Historical Dictionary of Jazz

John S. Davis is Professor of Jazz Studies and Senior Associate Dean for the College of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder. He has been a jazz educator for over 25 years and formerly served as Director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program.

• DedicationEditor’s Foreword Jon WoronoffReader’s NoteAcronyms and AbbreviationsChronologyIntroductionTHE DICTIONARYBibliographyAbout the Author

This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Jazz expands, updates, and revises the first. The dictionary proper comprises brief entries—typically one or two paragraphs but sometimes just a sentence (e.g., "DROP: A glissando downward from the end of a note.")—about musicians, bands and ensembles, places, record labels, instruments, musical terminology, and genres. Cross references are indicated in boldface. In addition to the dictionary entries, a 23-page chronology notes significant historical figures and events from 1881 to 2019. The book also includes a section of acronyms and abbreviations and a brief introduction to the history of jazz. The 54-page bibliography cites sources (websites among them) on jazz photography, jazz and culture, and jazz beyond borders. Davis (Univ. of Colorado, Boulder) is effective in synthesizing meanings, history, biography, and other relevant material and keeping the narrative brief but useful. . . The value of the dictionary lies in the perspective Davis brings to the subject and his ability to speak to performers, historians, and aficionados and to those whose relationship with jazz is more peripheral. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; professionals; general readers.