The great American musical invention of the 20th century, jazz is an ever-youthful, still evolving music of beauty, sensitivity, and brilliance
that has produced (and been produced by) an extraordinary progression of talented artists.
Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology traces the
turning points in its history through its legendary innovators -- among them Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, Parker, Gillespie, Davis, Hancock,
Corea, Marsalis -- and notable styles, from early ragtime to international modernism and every major movement in between.
With 111 tracks
that showcase artists at their best and most influential, this remarkable anthology is the successor to the milestone Smithsonian Collection
of Classic Jazz of 1973, once again offering a wellspring resource for educators, students, musicians, beginners, and aficionados.
Scores of
leading jazz scholars, performers, and writers collaborated in selecting the recordings and producing the incisive annotations. The
accompanying book also features an informative background essay as well as suggestions for listeners on appreciating the full richness of
the performances. If ever there were a "jazz appreciation course in a box," this is it.
Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology renews the legacy of
Folkways Records founder Moses Asch's commitment to letting the "people's music" be heard and fulfills the educational mission of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the nonprofit record label of the United States national museum. From the Label
