A swing note is, to the listener of the rhythm, an unexpected note, and it is the spark of life in jazz and its relatives. Whether playing the standards or the most experimental piece, it is how a musician handles these notes fearlessly or safely that determines the fate of the performance. Howard Reich s critical writing is similarly unexpected and fearless, and "Let Freedom Swing "is a collection of the articles from the past three decades that best capture this spirit.

Each section of "Let Freedom Swing "composes a suite, focusing on either a person, place, or scene. Reich gives new...