Trumpeter and jazz advocate and educator Wynton Marsalis waxes poetic as he alphabetically celebrates 26 jazz legends. Each one, from trumpeter Louis Armstrong to trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, is regaled using a different poetic form throughout this rhythmic lesson in jazz and its long-time companion, poetry. For instance, baritone saxophonist earns a limerick from Marsalis—“There was a grand Gentleman Gerry, a great saxophone dignitary…” while the author pays tribute to the very individual pianist Jelly Roll Morton with an ode. Sometimes Marsalis finds that a sparse amount of words best capture his subject. Pianist Thelonious Monk’s haiku reads simply: “Tonight… there’s Thelonious ticklin’” while other artists garner intricate and lengthy elaborations. Wonderfully accenting the cadence of Marsalis’ work are Paul Rogers’ bright, bold, poster-style paintings that face each written page and act as marquees of sorts announcing each player. Rogers created the Jazz Fest posters of both Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. While the swing of the musicians are set in Marsalis poetry, further information on these greats are offered in short biographies written by Phil Schaap that are found at the end of the volume along with explanations of the poetic forms and a very brief list of recommended albums. The packaging of this beauty is totally hip with an eye-catching opening page simulating a 78 r.p.m. record complete with an old-style label and tan record sleeve. This is definitely a sophisticated product both visually and in its language. That leaves open the question of it’s audience—who is it aimed towards? Who will most enjoy and appreciate it? Marsalis calls it a children’s book, and in writing it he utilizes his philosophy that “kids will learn big words if you use big words.” Jazz ABZ would certainly be the perfect tool—along with a stack of albums—for jazz-loving parents wishing to further instill their love of the music in their kids. Of course, they just might want to crank up the CD player, fluff up the pillows and take this book to bed with them themselves.