Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology

The great American musical invention of the 20th century, jazz is an ever-youthful, still evolving music of beauty, sensitivity, and brilliance that has produced (and been produced by) an extraordinary progression of talented artists. Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology traces the turning points in its history through its legendary innovators—among them Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, Parker, Gillespie, Davis, Hancock, Corea, and Marsalis - and notable styles, from early ragtime to international modernism and every major movement in between.

Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology contains 111 tracks that showcase artists at their best and most influential. This remarkable anthology is the successor to the milestone Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz of 1973, and once again offers a wellspring resource for educators, students, musicians, beginners, and aficionados. Scores of leading jazz scholars, performers, and writers collaborated in selecting the recordings and producing the incisive annotations. The accompanying book also features an informative background essay as well as suggestions for listeners on appreciating the full richness of the performances. If ever there were a "jazz appreciation course in a box," this is it.

Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology renews the legacy of Folkways Records founder Moses Asch's commitment to letting the "people's music" be heard and fulfills the educational mission of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the nonprofit record label of the United States national museum.