Books about jazz

[ando]

One of those books where the enthusiasm of the author, in this case poet Philip Larkin, rubs off onto the reader. A great read.

Thanks. Looking forward to this one.

[ando]

Jazz Standards Ted Gioia (2012, Oxford University Press)
There are a few references on this site to previous books by Gioia (all seemingly fascinating). This one is more of a reference volume with interesting back stories on the creation of what we now consider classics. Don't think it's hubris to say that it should be on every jazz lovers' shelf. Not much else out there like it. If you've got a free hour here's a talk with Gioia on music and the industry, in general -