Geza Gabor Simon (1947) has published seven books on jazz. Except for his first (The Heritage of John Coltrane), all his books have been on the history of Hungarian jazz. Hungarian Jazz Records 1912 -1984, published in 1985 (in English and in Hungarian) is an essential publication both for record collectors and those who are interested in recorded jazz. It is in many respects the basis and a major supplement to this volume.

The Book of Hungarian Jazz is both more and less than a history of Hungarian jazz.
It is more in that it does more than simply deal with the past; it also contains the initial results of parallel and comparative research into jazz history. It is more, too, because data such as prizes, top polls, a bibliography, a discography, an index of essential names are included which would not be found, or would only be touched on, in a volume exclusively devoted to jazz history.
On the other hand, it is less, as its scope does not allow a detailed review of events from the beginnings up to the present. Nevertheless, it does contain a survey in depth of the pre-history, something which has been totally ignored so far. A detailed picture is given of the first great period between 1920 and 1950. The author concentrates on giving an accurate sound documentation of the history of modern Hungarian jazz. Only marginal attention is paid to areas which have already been discussed or summarized by authors such as János Gonda, Attila Malecz, Géza Gábor Simon, Erzsébet Szeverényi, Gábor Turi and others.
With a Foreword by Attila Csányi.