At first glance, Shipton’s new New History Of Jazz builds on his first edition by adding chapters covering vocal and piano jazz from the 50s onwards, something he wasn’t able cover in the first edition. He has also continued to research the whole history of jazz, from the turn of the 20th Century to 2007, and accepted corrections to his old text that make this revised and updated print essential for all jazz aficionados.
Don’t come looking for in-depth biographies. Shipton includes biographical details in his tale because he’s a master storyteller, but this is wider-picture stuff. With recommended listening lists, it’s essential to understanding a much misunderstood culture, music and art form.
