This is a wonderful book for any music/jazz listener and lover who is curious about the how, why, who, and what concerning the bottom of the sound of the jazz music machine.

— Ron Carter, bassist and Professor Emeritus of City College of New York

In The Jazz Masters: Setting the Record Straight, Peter Zimmerman creates a rarefied environment for the wide range of major musicians whom he interviews to be themselves, and to speak freely from their hearts. What emerges is an honest snapshot of their passion, perseverance, and personality. A welcome addition to music journalism.

— Bill Charlap, pianist

A necessary and enjoyable read.

— Marty Sheller, trumpeter and Latin jazz composer and arranger

An intimate look at the lives of two dozen musicians who defined acoustic “mainstream” jazz in profoundly important ways. Probing their musical worlds with a knowing eye and ear, the author presents the jazz community as an extended family and showing how musicians know and respect each other. This entertaining book is an invaluable resource on that will be welcomed by music lovers.

— William R. Ferris, Professor of History Emeritus at UNC’s Center for Study of the American South

Peter Zimmerman is a gracious and well-studied writer.

— Valerie Naranjo, Saturday Night Live Band and faculty at the NYU Steinhardt School

Much has been written about the history of jazz and its storied past. Peter Zimmerman has posited the subject of jazz history as a contemporary living musical form, using original source material in the form of oral histories. His style is accessible, personal, and familiar; he avoids the dryness of academic writing and conveys his real passion for the music.

— Alex de Laszlo, City University of New York (CUNY)

Peter Zimmerman’s The Jazz Masters is an engaging and diverse mix of eminent players and fascinating personalities. Zimmerman presents their observations, opinions, and insights in a relaxed, conversational style that feel more like informal chats than traditional interviews.

— Bob Bernotas, author of Top Brass: Interviews and Master Classes with Jazz’s Leading Brass Players and Reed All About It: Interviews and Master Classes with Jazz’s Leading Reed Players