In this vivid history of jazz, from its roots in the late 19th century to the present, two exceptional authors, a leading scholar and a respected critic, write with intellectual bite, eloquence, and the passion of unabashed fans. They explain what jazz is, where it came from, how it works and who created it; all within the broader context of American life and culture. Also included a comprehensive 4-CD set of 78 works, recorded from 1916 to the present, features landmark classics as well as innovative departures from the standard canon. Each work is accompanied by a Listening Guide that takes you inside the music to hear and feel it as the musicians do.