Jazz in Black and White: Race, Culture, and Identity in the Jazz Community

Is jazz a universal idiom or is it an African-American art form? Although whites have been playing jazz almost since it first developed, the history of jazz has been forged by a series of African-American artists whose styles caught the interest of their musical generation―masters such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Whether or not white musicians deserve their secondary status in jazz history, one thing is clear: developments in jazz have been a result of black people's search for a meaningful identity as Americans and members of the African diaspora. Blacks are not alone in being deeply affected by these shifts in African-American racial attitudes and cultural strategies. Historically in closer contact with blacks than nearly any other group of white Americans, white jazz musicians have also felt these shifts. More importantly, their careers and musical interests have been deeply affected by them. The author, an active participant in the jazz world as composer, performer, and author of several books on jazz and Latin music, hopes that this book will encourage jazz lovers to take a rhetoric-free look at the charged issue of race as has affected the world of jazz.
A work about the formulation of identity in the face of racial difference, the book considers topics such as the promotion of black Southern culture and inner-city styles like rhythm and blues and rap as a means of achieving black racial solidarity. It discusses the body of music fostered by an identification to Africa, the conversion of black jazz musicians to Islam and other Eastern religions, and the impact of a jazz community united by heroin use. White jazz musicians who identify with black culture in an unsettling form by speaking black dialect and calling themselves African-American is examined, as is the assimilation of jazz into the wider American culture.

Arts & Photography

Gerard, Charley

Gerard, Charles D.

Music

Praeger

(Music Sales America). For the saxophone player with little or no experience of improvising jazz. Contains examples and tunes in the styles of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Johnny Hodges. Professional insights into chords, blues and special effects are included.

Improvising Jazz Sax

Humor & Entertainment

Music Sales America

Sonny Rollins (Jazz Masters)

Music Sales+ Corporation

Series: Performance in World Music SeriesPaperback: 137 pagesPublisher: White Cliffs Media Co (October 1988)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0941677095ISBN-13: 978-0941677097Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 6 x 9 inchesShipping Weight: 7.2 ouncesAverage Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,460,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Salsa!: The Rhythm of Latin Music (Performance in World Music Series)

Sheller, Marty

White Cliffs Media Co

Salsa: The Rhythm of Latin Music (Performance in World Music Series)

A collection of compositions by one of the most creative figures in the history of jazz. Expertly arranged, the works are accompanied by descriptive text.

Thelonious Monk: Originals and Standards

Gerard & Sarzin Pub Co

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Books by Gerard, Charley