"The Heart of Jazz", A History of the Genre Illustrated by Lamartine Le Goullon First Edition, 1956

Lamartine Le Goullon

First Edition

[African American][Music] Grossman, William L., and Jack W. Farrell. The Heart of Jazz. New York: New York University Press, 1956. First edition. Illustrated with drawings by Lamartine Le Goullon. 299 pages. Original quarter green cloth over illustrated boards, with gilt lettering to the spine. In original black dust jacket with an image of a jazz trumpeter. 8vo. A study of jazz’s evolution. The Heart of Jazz explores the genre’s origins, stylistic development, and the musicians who shaped it. Written during a period when jazz was transitioning from swing to modern forms, the book examines traditional New Orleans jazz, West Coast revivalism, and the role of influential figures such as Bix Beiderbecke. The work not only offers musical analysis but also delves into the cultural significance of jazz as a uniquely African American art form that influenced global music. The book discusses jazz’s connection to African American religious traditions, communal expression, and the tension between its roots in Black culture and its mainstream popularity. The striking cover design features a minimalist illustration by Le Goullon of a guitarist, reflecting the artistic and improvisational nature of jazz. The dust jacket, present here, showcases a bold image of a trumpeter in performance, visually capturing the intensity of jazz music. This copy bears the signature of a previous owner, George H. Moldowitz [sic] 1956, in blue ink on the front endpaper. Binding is tight, with light wear to the board edges and some fading to the spine. The dust jacket shows moderate rubbing, small tears at the spine ends, and edgewear. Overall, a very good copy in a good dust jacket. A significant mid-century contribution to jazz literature, offering both historical insight and an early scholarly approach to jazz as a serious musical and cultural form.

Item #21566

Price: $225.00