Maurice J. Summerfield

Although many books have been written on the subject of the guitar this is the first book to cover, in a definitive way, the classical guitar since 1800. Maurice Summerfield has for over 46 years played, listened to and studied the classical guitar. This new revised and updated edition introduces a brand-new page layout for the biographical sections. These sections now include over 485 detailed biographies of the major classical guitarists, composers, scholars, flamenco guitarists, guitar makers and personalities since 1800. Through these, and the chapter devoted to its evolution, the reader can gain a full and clear picture of the classical guitar’s development since the beginning of the 19th century. The collection of photographs of classical guitarists in this book is the finest and most complete ever put together in one volume. Added to this, every important classical guitar recoding ever made is listed. The final section, Sources of Supply, ensures that nearly every record, book, magazine and piece of music listed in the book can be obtained by the reader. The Classical Guitar – It’s Evolution, Players and Personalities since 1800, is an absolute must for classical music lovers and guitarists alike. It is, without doubt, the essential work of reference on the subject of the classical guitar.

Although many books have been written on the subject of jazz, the first edition of this book was the first to cover in a definitive way the guitar’s role in jazz. Maurice Summerfield has for over thirty-eight years played, listened to and studied the jazz guitar. The main part of this book is devoted to over 300 detailed biographies of the major jazz guitarists since 1900. Through these, and the chapter devoted to its evolution, the reader can gain a full and clear picture of the guitar’s development and role in jazz since the beginning of this century. The collection of photographs of jazz guitarists in this book is the finest and most complete ever included in one volume. Added to this, every important jazz guitar recording is listed. A general chapter is included on the instruments used by jazz guitarists. The final section of the book; ‘Sources of Information and Supply’ ensures that nearly every recording, book and piece of music can be obtained by the reader. ‘The Jazz Guitar’ by Maurice J. Summerfield is an absolute must for jazz lovers and guitarists alike. This new fully revised and expanded edition will prove to be the essential work of reference on the subject of the guitar in jazz for many years to come. Fourth Edition, 404 pages, 297mm x 210mm, high quality paper.