BOOK REVIEW Jazz, by Rex Harris. (Penguin Books, 2s.)

For the first time, a comprehensive account of the foundations and history of jazz music is available at a most reasonable price. The author is undoubtedly our most readable writer on jazz; his work can be followed without a dictionary, yet the subject-matter is presented for adults. There are some first-class maps and charts, showing the growth of jazz, drawn by Ronald Davies, and throughout are copious references to good recordings illustrating the points made.

A few of the dates given are a trifle inaccurate, and it is a pity that the genuine pioneer work of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band is regarded scornfully in terms of" tin-cans and funny hats," which (it is claimed) led people to associate jazz with cheap clowning ; true, such effects were used by imitation "jazz " bands around 1919, and deserve all the adverse criticism they receive. However, a fine distinction is drawn between genuine and spurious, and bop is dismissed in a few terse sentences.

A most valuable book, that should do much to eradicate the prejudices that prevent jazz from being recognised as the fascinating music that it is: OLIVER KING