Following, please find a list of books about music and music-related subjects in my collection. I have learned much from these books. This list is being constantly expanded, so please come back and check out the new additions.

A detailed discography of the early days of Polish Jazz.

Since music is universal, it´s no surprise that Prog and other genres of Rock should spring all over the globe. This nicely done book is a cross-over between a basic history of the Prog and similar genres in the two countries and an extended discography based on the format of Joynson´s books. Recommended.

A great book devoted to independent record labels producing Jazz albums. A history of the independent labels and a detailed discography of 36 independent labels. The book is bi-lingual: French and English.

Jarrett is probably the most influential jazz pianist living today. Ian Carr has written this biography based both on extensive interviews with the artists, as well as his deep understanding of the music. The book is well researched and excellently written (as usual with Carr) and provides us with an insight into the soul and mind of the men who turned solo piano improvisation into an art form of its own. Excellent!

Ian Carr is not only a great trumpet player, composer and band leader (Nucleus) but also a wonderful writer. This excellent Miles Davis biography is intelligent, insightful and deep, without trying to be condescending and over-intellectual. Carr not only gives the reader the basic biographical facts. but he analyses the musical influences and writes extended "reviews" of the key releases. A real pleasure to read!

A fantastic book about the British Jazz scene in the late 1960´s - early 1970´s by one of the scene´s heros. Ian Carr is not only a great musician but also a great writer, as this book proves beyound any doubt. The author focuses on some of the most important British musicians of the era, like Mike Westbrook, Michael Gibbs, Chris MacGregor ond others. Absolutely essential reading.

Quite different from most other Jazz encyclopedias, this one is a true treasure - beautifully designed and illustrated by many great photographs and album cover reproductions, it is also very informative. A beautiful book.

A nice idea to present Jazz and its history by means of selecting several hundred key albums and reviewing them. European and Italian scenes are covered.

This is a fantastic discography covering Improvised Music released by five British small independent labels, who pioneered recording this genre: Bead Records, Incus Records, Matchless Recordings, Leo Records and Ogun Records. An absolute must to any record collector interested in Improvised Music / Free Jazz.

A history of Jazz in the Big Apple, the world´s capital of Jazz. The book covers the early years, i.e. the first half of the 20th Century. Well written and researched, with many photographs.

As opposed to the earlier autobiography by Billie Holiday, on which the famous "Lady Sings The Blues" movie was based, this is a much better written one and much more accurate, with a deep analysis of her music. Chilton, a gifted British writer and a Jazz trumpeter, knows what he´s writing about.

Although brief, this is an excellent introduction to Jazz history, written by British Jazz historian and musician. The book also covers the methods which Jazz improvisers use.

Well written and researched biography of saxophonist Lous Jordan, by Britain´s best Jazz biographer.

Brilliant book about one of the true Jazz giants, saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. In addition to the extended biography, the author also analyses hundreds of his recordings. This books includes an incredible wealth of information not only about Hawkins but the entire genre.

Fascinating and comprehensive history of The Doors, one of the greatest bands in Rock´s history. The books provides further insight into the mystique surrounding the legendary Jim Morrison. Beautifully designed and illustrated this is also a visual trip into the Psychedelic era.

The two British writers / journalists analyse some forty of their favorite Jazz albums, in a most unorthodox way, destroying some Jazz legends and creating new ones. Very interesting reading.

Cole is a musicologist, therefore this book is full of musical notation and theory - something that might prove difficult to read for a person with no theoretical knowledge of music. Still, the non-musical parts are excellent and illuminating, well worth reading for every Trane fan. The biography emphasizes the relationship between Coltrane´s music and his life, beliefs and emotions. Perhaps not the first book one should read about Trane, but well worth the effort.

Since this book was written in the early 1970´s, it naturally concentrates on the early period of Miles´ life and art and does not cover the later phase. Cole, being a musicologist, emphasizes his theories with numerous examples using music notation, which makes it difficult to follow for readers who can´t read music. Nevertheless there is enough "meat" here to grab the attention of any Miles´ fan and the book is definitely worth reading.

Graham Collier is not only one of Britain´s greatest Jazz musicians / composers, but also a gifted writer. This biography of the Royal Couple of the British Jazz - saxophonist John Dankworth and his wife singer Cleo Laine - is superbly written and includes a wealth of facts and musical analysis. A must for all British Jazz lovers.

In this short, but brilliantly written book British Jazz musician / composer tries to answer the question: "What is Jazz?". By using plain language and aschewing musicilogical terms, Colliar manages to create the best possible introduction to the subject.

This is an instruction book addressing the development of improvisation in all its forms, individual and collective (ensemble). Includes examples with musical notation and music on the included CD.

An amazingly detailed discography of Jazz legend, clarinetist Benny Goodman.

Julie Coryell is the wife of Larry Coryell, the great guitarist and one of the founding fathers of Fusion, so this book is written by somebody really close to the source! Laura Friedman is a talented photographer, with delicate eye and superb touch. Together they bring us probably the best non-texbook book on the subject. One-on-one interviews with the entire Fusion scene, as it was happening. Over 60 interviews all together, with such musicians as John Abercrombie, the Brecker Brothers, Stanley Clarke, etc., etc. This is a gem not to be missed, but unfortunately this has been out of print for ages - what a pity.

This is the book that came inside The Beatles "Get Back" LP box. It includes some great photographs of the "fab four" at the recording studio and the famous "roof" gig and some of their sayings at the time. Nostalgia.

Absolutely brilliant guide to modern British Jazz, compiled at the time the scene was at its peak, with great information about the musicians, recordings, etc. Invaluable to British Jazz enthusiasts and record collectors.

A directory to the British Jazz scene at the time of publishing, with musicians, venues, etc. Great source of information for historians.

A superb autigiography by one of Rock´s brightests stars. Quite a painful reading since Crosby reveals all, including the darkest moments of drug addiction and hoplessness. Fascinating glimpse at rock, its history and psychology amd the social aspects of fame and downfall from fame. Brilliant!

A collection of Jazz anecdotes, collected from interviews, biographies and autobiographies of Jazz musicians. Some of these anecdotes are hillarious. Brilliant stuff!

5th volume of a Jazz encyclopedia issued in France by the French "Jazz Hot" magazine. As the title suggests, this volume tells the story of Gospel and its connection to Jazz.

Cutler, as we all know, is not only a musician, but an organizer, activist, founding member of the RIO movement, etc. and a serious thinker. This book, written in a very dry, academic style, puts forward a series of social, political and esthetic theorems, all related to his musical background. Interesting - no doubt, but extremely difficult to swallow if your views happen to be different. If nothing else, it´s an intellectual challenge to go through this book without a serious depression attack. You have been warned!