This is by far the best music book I've ever read. It is scholarly, no doubt, but Schuller's joy in this music comes through on every page. A rudiemntary ability to read music is a plus with this book, but by no means necessary. Schuller is even-handed and open-minded but never abdicates the critic's responsibility to judge. And absolutely never abdicates the scholars responsibility to inform. A wonderful book on 1930s jazz. ( )