On The Bookshelf
Jazz and Justice explores the rich, complex origins of jazz, the historical American art form born in the late 19th century, most likely in the brothels of Storyville in New Orleans, Louisiana from the cultural traditions of the newly emancipated African Americans. Rooted in the blues, a genre that gave voice to the pain, endurance, and aspirations of the oppressed Black communities under Jim Crow. Jazz emerged from the discarded instruments of post–Civil War military bands and quickly evolved into a profound cultural force.
In this revelatory work, historian and professor Gerald Horne examines the social, economic, and political dynamics that shaped jazz into a singular Black American contribution to global arts and culture. He chronicles the struggles musicians faced in a deeply segregated and exploitative society, contending with organized crime, white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, and the pervasive racism of American society and the entertainment industry.
Horne gives overdue recognition to the groundbreaking contributions of women artists, such as pianist Mary Lou Williams and trombonist Melba Liston, while also highlighting the influence of musicians with Native American heritage. Jazz and Justice is both an incisive historical investigation and a tribute to the resilience of an art form that gave voice to generations.
Jazz & Justice: 2019 | Gerald Horne
Monthly Review Press
