The late 1990s marks the centenary of jazz music, dating from the earliest reference to the New Orleans band fronted by legendary trumpeter Buddy Bolden, recognized as the first group to play the type of music subsequently labelled "jazz". This text provides a chronicle of what has turned out to be the major influence in Western music throughout the 20th century. Richly illustrated with a wealth of rare photographs and graphic material set in the context of popular music generally, "A Century of Jazz" is a celebration of jazz history, people and style.