Originally published in 1959, Rookmaaker's music history explores the development of black music in the United States from its earliest days until the 1950s--describing the origins, rationale, and interplay of diverse new genres. As he provides insight into the spiritual background and qualitative differences of jazz, blues, spirituals, and gospel music, he speaks to the questions raised by modern jazz, which, in his words, "boasts high quality but an existential spirit." This new edition features a preface by William Edgar, an accomplished jazz pianist and a professor at Westminster Seminary.