Jazz Planet

The first book to trace the spread and evolution of jazz into cultures around the world Through new and previously published essays, Jazz Planet traces jazz’s fascinating journey to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America Jazz is often characterized as a uniquely American form of artistic expression. Yet, from its inception, it exploded beyond national borders, becoming one of the first modern examples of a global music sensation. What happened when this phenomenon met with indigenous musical practices? Essays in this collection describe the seldom-acknowledged contributions non-Americans have made to the art through the story of how jazz arrived, was received, and shaped around the globe.