Jazz is a genre often overlooked for its complexity and detail. Many people reduce it to something as simple as “If it has a saxophone and trumpet, it must be jazz,” or “Frank Sinatra is jazz, right?” But this charmingly written PosterZine, launched by Everything Jazz, is a refreshing doorway into the nuances of the genre and the brilliance behind its creation, whether you’re a veteran or not.

Made up of cool graphics and imagery paired with insightful excerpts and flawless album suggestions, it makes for a genuinely enjoyable and engaging read.

After being kindly sent their first two issues, I went in blind, with little knowledge of what to expect or think. However, after devoting my mornings to reading them – setting aside time – I can confirm that my knowledge of jazz has been widened and my playlists now lie fuller.

Issue One explores the legendary Blue Note Records – the powerhouse behind what many (myself included) consider the golden age of jazz, from 1950 to 1977. A brilliant interview with Joe Harley, producer of the beloved Tone Poet reissue series, delves into the subject, talking about Rudy Van Gelder and his elusive career. Pairing perfectly is a section of album recommendations with short insights into why they’re considered iconic, including classics like “Mode for Joe” by Joe Henderson and “Contours” by Sam Rivers. Being a music curator on social media myself, I even stumbled across songs I hadn’t heard before – and ones I’m now eager to share with my community.

There’s something so satisfying about learning as you slowly unfold the poster in an unorthodox but revealing way. Issue One features a beautiful constellation illustration by Patch D Keyes, mapping out iconic artists and individuals who were involved with Blue Note.

Issue Two takes you on a pianist’s journey, celebrating both the anniversary of Oscar Peterson’s birth and the release of Keith Jarrett’s platinum-selling 1975 live album “The Köln Concert”. It kicks off with a segment briefly exploring what makes the piano such a powerful force in jazz, and what truly defines a great jazz pianist. Traditionally being a lover of brass over keys, this really opened my eyes to the inner workings of great piano playing. From there, it leads into an incredible piece by Jumoké Fashola, who delves into the legends of the piano world – icons such as Nina Simone (a personal favourite of mine), Blossom Dearie, and Jon Batiste. Once again, the second issue is packed full of music suggestions – this time, 25 of the greatest piano albums of all time, which I can confirm are spot on. Jeff Goldblum even appears with a quote about his love for Erroll Garner, adding another unexpected and charming touch to the journey.

Even though I leaned more towards the text in the PosterZine, the accompanying photos and graphics are just as appealing. One of my favourites, including an iconic photograph of Thelonious Monk at Minton’s Playhouse in New York City, taken in 1947 by William P. Gottlieb – a photo widely known in the jazz community, but one anyone would love to have posted on their wall.

So, thank you, Everything Jazz, for bringing a little more swing and substance to my mornings. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz head or someone like me still exploring the edges of the genre, this is an approachable, digestible, and poster-worthy read.

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Frankie Statham is a British musician and music curator mainly active on digital platforms like Spotify, Instagram and Tik Tok. Find him at @frankiestathamuk

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