The authors of a book on Italian-American jazz musicians will give a presentation Feb. 11 at the Oak Park Public Library in honor of the centennial of the first jazz record. Bill Dal Cerro and David Anthony Witter, journalists, teachers and authors of "Bebop, Swing and Bella Musica: Jazz and the Italian American Experience," will share music, stories and photos from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 11 in the second floor Veterans Room of the library, 834 Lake St.
Dal Cerro said the event celebrates the 100th anniversary of what's recognized as the first jazz record, recorded Feb. 26, 1917 by Nick LaRocca and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band of New Orleans. "It's so astounding the impact it must have had on our culture," Witter said. Dal Cerro and Witter acknowledged that even some jazz fans aren't aware of the Italian influence on jazz music, and Witter said many people associate jazz with the 1920s and '30s.
