The Sound of Surprise

"For almost three years, readers of The New Yorker have enjoyed the work of a jazz critic who is not only sensitive and thoroughly informed, but who writes of the music with exceptional grace and skill. In the short time his jazz criticism has appeared in the magazine, Whitney Balliett has become one of the outstanding observers of the American jazz scene. Here, for the first time, Balliett's brilliant jazz criticsim is collected in book form. Divided into four secitons, this exciting collection touches on every aspect of jazz, from its most traditional to its most modern forms. The result is a stimualting and original survey of the jazz world today -- its music and its musicians. As a critic, Whitney Balliett has remained independent of any of the fiercely partisan and contending factions in the jazz world. His point of view is fresh, provocative, distinctly his own, and there is scarcely anyone writing in the field today who has more stature or influence. Those who know his work will be pleased to have it collected in perment form; those who are unfamiliar with him have a rare treat in store." --