Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life

A fine read from a master of the idiom. A great introduction to the genre and a refresher for the jaded. Marsalis can be dogmatic and condescending at times, but he knows his work and loves it. The messianic view of jazz is disconcerting — but I sympathize with his critique of modern musicianship, which is rare indeed.

Good stuff overall. ( )

This book deserves to be one of the 'standards' among jazz books. I consider myself lucky to be in conversation with Marsalis through this book. Even though nothing can take the place of the direct communication using music, this book is packed with enough energy, quality, personality and honesty to bring a fresh perspective on whatever I have listened until now.

On the other hand, I'm not sure if this would be the best choice as an introductory text. It may look like light reading but it may be very dense in terms of referring to a long musical legacy. ( )