Looks at the history of the 20th century's musical form, jazz - and asks, what has jazz become? And what does jazz do? Rather than try to define what jazz is. Taking five key moments in jazz history, the author uses them to challenge assumptions about jazz's origins, its ethnic identity, and its social and political nature.

Brian Morton looks at the history of the 20th century's one entirely new musical form, jazz - and asks, what has jazz become? And what does jazz do? Rather than try to define what jazz is. Taking five key moments in jazz history, Brian Morton uses them to challenge assumptions about jazz's origins, its ethnic identity, and its social and political nature. It is a constantly evolving tale, full of intriguing sidetracks and occasional dead ends, sudden extinctions and bizarre archaeological survivals. Underneath it, though, there is a constant questioning spirit, an unwillingness to accept orthodoxies, conventional resolutions and simple chronologies. This is a book for jazz lovers ready to consider the accepted versions of jazz history anew, but also for those who have until now looked on either in puzzlement or suspicion. It is, above all, an invitation to listen afresh.