Blue Nippon: Authenticating Jazz in Japan
In this absorbing study, Atkins (history, Northern Illinois  Univ.) effectively deals with the development of authentic jazz  styles and even more extensively with the sociology of jazz in  Japan from the 1920s to the present. That an African American  art form could firmly take hold in Japan is fascinating in  itself, but Atkins goes beyond the initial interest inspired by  his subject with a fluid writing style and extensive research  (which includes interviews with several Japanese jazz  musicians). The author also achieves a balance between a  Westerner's view of jazz in Japan and the Japanese perspective  of the art form. This book will appeal to readers with a general  interest in Japanese culture and counterculture as well as those  specifically interested in Japanese jazz. Highly recommended for  specialized music collections and for all public libraries,  especially those with significant jazz or Japanese cultural  holdings. James E. Perone, Mount Union Coll., Alliance, OHCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.