Although one can find many sources detailing the history of jazz, my favorite is the Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz, available from the Smithsonian Institution (available in the Mount Union College Music Library). Yes, one can argue with some of the choices, but this collection represents most of the major movements in jazz from the 1920s to the end of the twentieth century. The combination of recordings and the wonderful booklet will give anyone a good, basic overview of jazz. After studying and enjoying the Smithsonian Collection, one will probably latch onto a few jazz styles or artists for further exploration. Another area related to the history of jazz is jazz criticism. It is interesting to read the very different ways writers such as Martin Williams, Imamu Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones), David N. Baker, Billy Taylor, Whitney Balliett, and others treat the music and its development. Of particular interest is the way in which the dynamics of race are considered by these authors.
Although it is hardly an exhaustive list, you might want to take a look at some of the jazz-related titles I have reviewed in Library Journal, just to see some of the directions in which popular jazz scholarship is going today. Here's a link to my publications page (book reviews are listed at the bottom of the page and include more than just jazz-related books).
Return to Jazz Theory Materials for the "Classical" Musician Home.