New Grove dictionary of jazz £29.48 from Amazon
This is the big one from the Usa· Performers from Louis Armstrong to Joe Zawinul, as well as performing groups from the early New Orleans Excelsior Brass Band to the contemporary World Saxophone Quartet
· Jazz terms and topics including pieces on arrangement, form, harmony, and improvisation, as well as articles on jazz in film and jazz singing
· Styles are described from Chicago Jazz, Dixieland, and Boogie Woogie through Cool Jazz, Free Jazz, and Third Stream. Also included are Blues, Ragtime, and Latin music
· Festivals, clubs, and record labels that have had a seminal place in jazz history, such as the Newport and Montreux festivals, and the clubs Birdland and The Five Spot. Clubs are listed internationally by city, including their histories and the musicians who performed there
· Instruments like the saxophone and double bass are covered in detail as well as exotic instruments and special playing techniques such as brass mute effects
The best guide to jazz piano, no doubt, The Jazz Piano Book, Mark Levine, Sher publishing $35. www.marklevine.com
The Jazz Theory Book, Mark Levine $44, Sher Publishing
Jerry Coker's Complete Method for Improvisation: For All Instruments from Amazon.com £12.26
The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book Pub Hal Leonard from Amazon.com £35 Hundreds of songs fo Concert or Eb or Bb instruments
Penguin guide to jazz on cd £22.50 Cd album reviews and some biogs (no jazz
fusion overlaps no smooth no latin jazz)
All Music Guide to Jazz 22.95 from backbeat Biogs and cd reviews