This encyclopedia covers jazz history, instruments, musicians, techniques and recordings. Featuring over 1,000 photographs, it sets out to be both informative and entertaining. Collectors should be interested in the special guide to the top 250 classic jazz recordings. Dance lovers can track the development of jazz dance from the mambo to lindyhopping. The book also includes profiles of jazz musicians of the last 100 years and illustrated timecharts which document the evolution of jazz. Contents include profiles of jazz greats such as Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Art Blakey, John Coltrone and Keith Jarrett.