jazz text books

[eric feng]

Can you suggest some good jazz text books for a
general learner not just play one instrument?

thank you.

[idlehands]

Mark Gridley's Jazz Styles is generally considered to be the best textbook. Good examples, well written, very comprehensive. I think Bill Crow's Jazz Anecdotes would make an excellent companion to the Gridley. But this is just my opinion....

[graypencil]

Eric:

You weren't specific about wheter you were looking for jazzTHEORY texts or jazz HISTORY materials:

In the former category,I'd recommend:

Jazz Theory .. Mark Levine

The Complete arranger .. Sam Nestico ..

any of the Jerry Coker books on improvising

and the Kenny Werner book ( not sure of the exact title, but it's something regarding 'Endless Mastery " .. )

For historical stuff;

Gary Giddins, Chris Albertson, and Gene Lees have all written great bookss covering many areas ..( I particularly liked Lees' "Meet me at Jim and Andys" ..an old NYC watering hole )

[eric feng]

idlehand thank you.what kind of instrument do you
play?
I play classical guitar ,jazz guitar and vocal.

graypencil,thank you very much.I will try to have a look
at all of your recommendations.