Music: Hobson on Jazz

For the jitterbug, jazz is an orgy of epileptic exhibitionism. For the casual collegian or cafe socialite it is a moony, soothing stimulus to social pleasures. To a third, and smaller group of jazz fans, good jazz is a serious art with its own history, traditions and standards of criticism. Up to now the critical bible of most serious jazz lovers has been Le Jazz Hot, written by a French swing pundit, Hugues Panassié, after a study of phonograph recordings in an isolated French chateau. To Panassié's pioneering effort was added last week a...