Experiencing Jazz

This second edition of Experiencing Jazz is a textbook built for jazz appreciation and history classes, paired with online material. Readings, drawings, timelines, and listening guides sit alongside a library of streaming recordings. The book traces jazz from its African musical roots to the present, placing each development within the social, cultural, political, and economic conditions that shaped it. It is written for newcomers. Basic musical concepts such as the elements of music and the roles of different instruments are explained first, so readers can follow the discussion of artists and styles that follows.

The narrative moves through prominent musicians and movements in a flowing, narrative style. This edition expands its coverage of women in jazz, the growth of jazz as a global music, and the impact of Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz. It also gives attention to less-discussed styles, including orchestral jazz, Cubop, and third-stream jazz.

The companion website offers a streaming audio library of key recordings by leading artists, with interactive listening guides that follow the music as it plays. Web-based tutorials explain musical ideas through sound, and audio interviews with working musicians add firsthand perspective.

The full course combines the printed textbook with an Online Access to Music token, which can be bought separately or together as a pack. An ebook is also available, though it does not include the audio material.