Early Jazz

This booklet introduces the improvisational style associated with jazz of the 1920s and 30s, demonstrating an underlying unity of approach to the melodic interpretation of harmony, and one which continued in Boogie Woogie, R&B, Rock ‘n Roll, Skiffle and Country music, even if modern jazz took a different route. It concludes with 61 examples from the tunes and improvisations of W.C Handy, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, George Lewis, Sidney Bechet, Benny Goodman and many others.