Ted Gioia is a music historian, author, and critic known for his acclaimed books on jazz and American music, including 'The History of Jazz' and 'Delta Blues.' He contributed essays and reviews to The Weekly Standard from 2004 to 2017, covering jazz history, blues, and music criticism. He is also recognized as a leading cultural commentator and writer on the role of music in society.
"Ella Fitzgerald is the only performer with whom I’ve ever worked who made me nervous," Frank Sinatra admitted in a 1959 interview. "Because I try to work up to what she does. You know, try to pull myself up to that height—because I believe she is the greatest popular singer in the world, barring…
Charlie Parker never achieved stardom, at least not by the standards of the music business. He never had a gold record to hang on the wall or enjoyed a significant radio hit. He never had a contract with a major record label. His face didn’t appear, even in a bit role, in a Hollywood film. If you…
Could Mozart write jingles? “Are you kidding,” responds the ad copy for a 1990s music marketing production house. “A Little Night Music had ‘beer commercial’ written all over it.”
The Pregnant Widow
Pops
New Orleans Style and the Writing of American Jazz History
W.C. Handy
On the Road
Divisadero
Considering Genius
Jazz Anecdotes
American Music Is