Jazzways
- Place of Publication: Cincinnati, OH
- Language: English
- Date of Publication: 1946-1947
- Periodicity: 2 issues
- Editors: Rudi Blesh, Frederic Ramsey, George S. Rosenthal & Frank Zachary
- Publishers: Jazzways
- Type: Full Text
Jazzways was an annual publication, highly illustrated, edited by George S. Rosenthal but significantly influenced by contributing editors Frederic Ramsey, Jr. and Rudi Blesh. Paul Rand contributed the cover design. Although two issues technically appeared, the second volume, marked with a publication date of 1947, contains much of the same material as volume 1 but with certain content excised. Both issues have been included in RIPM Jazz Periodicals separately in the interest of completeness.
The 1946 issue features a striking cover image by Rand, and opens with a report on jazz overseas following the Second World War by the British writer Albert J. McCarthy, followed by a sketch of jazz’s beginnings by Rudi Blesh. Articles on jazz in Chicago by Ramsey, Art Hodes, and the Chicago-born Benny Goodman, follows, along with Frank Stacy on the state of swing. Eugene Williams writes on New Orleans, richly illustrated with photography by Skippy Adelman. Articles on record collecting and other musicians conclude the issue.
The second issue is missing Rand’s cover, McCarthy’s article, and other selected photographs. It is unclear why this second printing or version was issued, though the 1946 issue was well-received and likely had commercial success.