Review of "The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues" by Howard Mandel, Ted Drozdowski, John Scofield

Put this handsome book on your coffee table and your guests will enjoy the music you play and every page of the encyclopedia. The origins of popular music can often be traced back through the many artists and influences of African American music. Toward the end of the ninetieth century, a new style of jazz emerged from New Orleans. The Blues came from the desolate landscapes of Texas and the Mississippi Delta. Combine these elements with the culture of America to become two quite distinct genres.

This wonderfully illustrated book will take you through an in-depth look at the music and the influences. There is a lot of information on the artists that shaped jazz and blues as the styles developed. The book is organized by decade with an introductory test to each chapter that is filled with essential background information. Key artists of each decade are listed and their story and music is detailed. This is an A-Z of musicians and it includes a comprehensive reference section that has information on jazz and blues instruments, a full artist list, and a glossary to help the reader.