Frémeaux & Associés, a historiographic reference label for jazz with Alain Gerber's Quintessence Collection, publishes as part of the "A history explained by" collection with the Presses Universitaires de France, a history of jazz told by Laurent Cugny, professor at Sorbonne University and former director of the ONJ (National Jazz Orchestra). In this book, he traces the history of this music born 120 years ago and which has continued to evolve in all it's dimensions- musical, social, cultural, political, and economic. After having studied it's prehistory and jazz before recording, Laurent Cugny endeavors to first extract a "main linear plot" by exposing the traditional chronological narrative of styles: new orleans, pre-swing, swing, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, free jazz, jazz-rock, while recalling that certain major figures do not fit easily into this plot. A postmodern era of jazz is also discussed, as well as vocal jazz treated separately. Discover a comprehensive story, from slavery to the ECM label, exploring a universally appealing language of jazz.

• Genre: Classical
• Label: FREMEAUX & ASSOC. FR