The Best Jazz Music Books of All Time

Discover the most influential jazz music books, recommended by leaders, experts, and readers worldwide

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Recommendations by Tim Draper, Vijay Iyer, Bob Dylan, Charles McPherson and 64 others

Not sure what to read? Our AI can suggest the most recommended Jazz Music books!

1
Book Cover of Aidan Levy - Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins

By Aidan Levy – Author of Dirty Blvd. and former Leon Levy Fellow (you?) 

4.98
| 2022 | 784 Pages
Recommended for: 
Jazz enthusiasts and music historians. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn about the life journey of Sonny Rollins and his impact on jazz history.
  • Discover the challenges and triumphs faced by Rollins throughout his career.
  • Understand the significance of Rollins' music in the context of social justice.
  • Explore the extensive research and interviews that shaped this biography.
  • Gain insights into the personal philosophy and practices of a jazz legend.
Reviews:
Well-Researched
Engaging Narrative
Comprehensive Coverage
Thought-Provoking
Easy to Read
Lengthy
Repetitive Details
  • #44 Best Seller in Jazz Musician Biographies on Amazon
  • Winner of the American Book Award (2023)
  • Longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award (2023)
  • Jazz Journalists Association's Jazz Awards, Biography/Autobiography of the Year (2022)
  • Boston Globe, Best Books of 2022
The Los Angeles TimesLevy paints a vivid picture…Throughout SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS he weds his extensive research to a feel for detail and narrative; the book is certainly long, but it has too much great reporting to be dry
The Telegraph (UK)Scrupulous and exhaustive... Levy comes as close to the enigma of Rollins as any biographer could
The New York TimesA revealing, comprehensive biography... [and] a brimming and organized compendium, something to keep returning to like Rollins’s records…
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2
Book Cover of Miles Davis, Quincy Troupe - Miles: The Autobiography

By Miles Davis – Legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader (you?) and 1 more 

4.98
| 431 Pages
Recommended for: 
Music enthusiasts and jazz fans. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn about the evolution of jazz through the eyes of a legendary musician.
  • Discover the personal struggles and triumphs of Miles Davis's life and career.
  • Understand the impact of racism on the music industry and society.
  • Explore the relationships between Miles and other jazz legends.
  • Gain insights into the creative process behind iconic jazz music.
Reviews:
Engaging Narrative
Jazz History
Personal Insights
Humorous
Well-Written
Repetitive
Controversial
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Clive Davis, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic and 3 others
Clive DavisClive Davis President, Arista Records [Miles] was and is the master, and his book is must reading for any student or fan of music
The San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chronicle
The AtlanticThe Atlantic
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Jazz  Music Book made by AI

By TailoredRead – AI that creates personalized books for you 

4.98
| 2025 | 30-300 pages
Learn Jazz Music faster with a book created specifically for you by state-of-the-art AI. Our AI has vast knowledge of Jazz Music, and will craft a custom-tailored book for you in just 10 minutes. This tailored book addresses YOUR unique interests, goals, knowledge level, and background. Available for online reading, PDF download, and Kindle, your custom book will provide personalized insights to help you learn faster, expand your horizons, and accomplish your goals. Embark on your Jazz Music learning journey with a personalized book - made exclusively for you.
Recommended for: 
All readers across all knowledge levels.
You will:
  • Get a Jazz Music book tailored to your interests, goals, and background
  • Receive a book precisely matching your background and level of knowledge
  • Select which topics you want to learn, exclude the topics you don't
  • Define your learning goals and let your book guide you to accomplish them
  • Get all the knowledge you need consolidated into a single focused book
Reviews:
Insightful
Focused
Highly Personalized
Easy to Read
Engaging
Actionable
Up-to-Date
3
Book Cover of Mark Davis - Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method Book 1 (Book/Online Audio)

By Mark Davis – Accomplished pianist and influential educator (you?) 

4.91
| 2015 | 96 Pages
Recommended for: 
Aspiring jazz pianists and educators. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn essential jazz theory to build a strong foundation for playing jazz piano.
  • Discover improvisation techniques that enhance your ability to create music on the spot.
  • Understand chord voicings and how to apply them in various musical contexts.
  • Explore jazz standards and their structures to improve your performance skills.
  • Develop your ear for jazz through practical exercises and audio examples.
Reviews:
Easy to Understand
Comprehensive Guide
Clear Explanations
Logical Structure
Helpful Audio
Limited Exercises
Somewhat Repetitive
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Charles McPherson, David Hazeltine, Peter Bernstein and 2 others
Charles McPhersonI find Mark Davis's Jazz Piano Method to be very informative and insightful, not only for pianists, but for all musicians. His wealth of knowledge about jazz piano is evident. His method and approach is interesting and well thought out. As one who does clinics and master classes, I'm always seeking out new ways and methods to inform, excite, and motivate the students. I highly recommend Mark's book
David HazeltineWhat I like most about Mark's Jazz Piano Method is that it's a well thought through, logically organized, clearly articulated, and thorough approach to learning how to play jazz piano. Starting with the fundamentals of listening, standard forms, and basic scale and chord construction, Mark Davis very clearly explains how to understand and practice the various aspects of jazz piano playing
Peter BernsteinMark Davis has put together a very clear and comprehensive book that will give the student who goes through it carefully everything needed to enter and explore the world of jazz harmony. Mark is a great player as well as a great teacher who understands what fundamental knowledge and skills students need in order to create and to make their own harmonic discoveries
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