This book investigates the evolution of jazz music through the direct testimony of the artists who shaped the genre across the twentieth century. W. Royal Stokes utilizes his extensive background as a jazz critic and historian to curate a collection of primary source interviews. By prioritizing the voices of the musicians, the author constructs a narrative that moves beyond academic analysis to capture the lived experience of jazz development from its New Orleans origins to the contemporary era.

Critics and music historians frequently cite this work as a valuable repository of primary source material that preserves the authentic voices of jazz legends. The text is noted for its accessible, conversational tone, making it a useful resource for both casual enthusiasts and serious students of music history.