What is the longest solo in the history of jazz?

John Coltrane's longest solo on record is the 27 minute and 39 second track One Down, One Up on the live album, Live at the Half Note. What's even more amazing is that the solo captured on record is only a fraction of the full solo. read more

John Coltrane's longest solo on record is the 27 minute and 39 second track One Down, One Up on the live album, Live at the Half Note. What's even more amazing is that the solo captured on record is only a fraction of the full solo. read more

Jazz improvisation goes far far far beyond the kind of improvisation all musicians are familiar with. Jazz improvisation is difficult; not every good musician can do it. In that sense, it is also a musician’s statement that he has “arrived.” Yet, improvisation can be taught and younger musicians are learning in school. read more

The Scholastic History of Jazz resource site is full of audio clips, history, and research starters on the subject of jazz. Join Grammy-Award winning trumpeter and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis on a tour of jazz — see the people, read about the events, and listen to the music. read more