Encyclopedia Of Jazz On Records Vol. 1 (compiled By Leonard Feather)

Released in 1957 as part of the ambitious Encyclopedia of Jazz on Records series, this volume was compiled by the prominent jazz critic and historian Leonard Feather. The collection was designed to serve as a sonic companion to Feather's authoritative written work, The Encyclopedia of Jazz, aiming to provide a chronological and stylistic survey of the music's formative years for a general audience. By pairing critical analysis with high-fidelity reissues of seminal performances, Feather sought to codify the canon of early jazz for collectors and students alike.

The selection features key tracks from the late 1920s, highlighting the transition from New Orleans collective improvisation to the more structured solo-oriented swing that would dominate the following decade. The disc includes definitive recordings from pioneers like King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and Duke Ellington, showcasing the technical innovations and stylistic range of the era's preeminent ensembles. While modern discographical standards have since evolved, the set remains a significant historical artifact that helped define how mid-century listeners organized and understood the jazz tradition.