Everyone interested in the history of jazz music has long been puzzled by the mysteries surrounding its origins.
Many facts especially concerning the lives of musicians, were not reliably documented, and we are left with countless questions:
How did jazz emerge in Louisiana?...
What is its real chronology?...
What do we know of the creators - from names such as
Buddy Bolden, Joe Oliver, Freddie Keppard, Sidney Bechet
to lesser-known musicians who were just as involved - the McNeal brothers, Frankie Duson, Tig Chambers, Manuel Perez,
Ernest Coycault, Chris Kelly, Buddy Petit, Evan Thomas,
Lorenzo Tio, Arnold Métoyer, Kid Rena
and many others?...
What was their ancestry and cultural backgrounds?...
Where did they play?...
“Jazz Puzzles” supplies many of the answers.
In 14 thoroughly-researched biographies of early,
influential musicians, the fuller picture starts to emerge.
Through a diversity of personal lineages, lives and achievements, the shadowy figures of the musicians involved
take on the mantle of real people
and the history of early jazz in Louisiana begins to unfold.
Illustrated with many rare and original photographs,
maps and documents, including an original map of New Orleans
showing sites with addresses of 124 places where musicians played and lived,
a map of Chicago jazz venues, and complete discographies
“Jazz Puzzles” is not only a history book and a jazz book,
but a fascinating picture book
that is hard to put down.
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