This is by no means the fi rst single volume devoted to providing an introduction to the history and appreciation of the jazz tradition. Since jazz is still an active and constantly changing part of musical culture, a new volume must be written every few years to place past events in context, evaluate the present jazz scene, and provide some indication of current trends in the music. What has not changed over the last thirty years or so is the need for such a formal introduction to jazz. Jazz occupies a peculiar place in American culture. Audiences since the 1970s have changed drastically, and while they are growing, they are doing so from a recent low point. But while the likelihood of a live recording from the Village Vanguard becoming a smash hit is low at best, jazz still permeates popular culture through fi lm, television, and the occasional signifi cant compact disc. To consider jazz history is to look at twentieth century American culture as a whole (with brief but signifi cant glances towards Africa and Europe).