Jazz Criticism

I am plowing my way into Visions of Jazz: The First Century. The 690-page text featured 79 essays on jazz musicians and their works written by Gary Giddins, one of the finest jazz critics. Although I am only up to the eleventh piece, “Louis Armstrong (The Once and Future King),” I like what I have read so far. Giddins’s passion for the music and knowledge of the history make his writings personal and informational. In the introduction, he states, “Everyone has his or her vision of jazz, and this is mine.” His vision is an inspiring if not an important one.