This book is about the passion of jazz music; how jazz persists as a genre; its evolving development and how it affects those who play, record, host and manage the industry. Jazz in the 21st century is a huge but little-explored community, consisting of artists, record labels, magazines, jazz venues, jazz festivals and jazz radio stations. Jazz is increasing in popularity in all of the best music colleges. The book explores all of this and more -- for the first time all of contemporary jazz culture is explored, with contributions from the leading names in the industry. What makes jazz persist? How is it changing? And what is its future? Extensively illustrated.