The jazz discography /

Canadian jazz discographer Tom Lord has undertaken to compile the most comprehensive reference work of its kind. In tackling ^D" (p.3) worldwide--from 1898 to the present, including all recorded formats--Lord seeks to make obsolete all other artist-based jazz discographies, including Charles Delaunay's New Hot Discography (1948) and the multivolume sets by Brian Rust (Jazz Records, 1897-1942, 5th ed., 1982; 4th ed., CH, Nov'78), Jorgen G. Jepsen (Jazz Records, 1942-1969, Copenhagen, 1963- ), and Walter Bruynickx (Jazz, Mechelen, Belguim, 1985- ). The project will encompass 20 volumes or so, the first 4 of which have now been published; others will appear during the next few years. The series will finish with supplemental volumes keeping the earlier ones up to date, plus indexes for musicians and song titles. The layout (although still based on Rust), typeface, and care lavished on these first volumes make them easier to use than the earlier discographies mentioned above. This kind of resource cries out for some kind of computer release, CD-ROM or otherwise. The publishers, for financial reasons, are not inclined to release it electronically at this point. Nevertheless, even as a printed book this should prove a major discographical work. Both public and academic libraries. J. Farrington Wesleyan University