Activating Voices in Jazz History: Students Broadening the Narrative

Activating Voices in Jazz History: Students Broadening the Narrative highlights the research of students who have been challenged to assess and interpret evidence found in historical records and engage in field interviews with a diverse representation of jazz artists. This approach serves as a method for co-creating a living history of jazz.

Drawing from the author’s experience in teaching jazz historiography and recognizing that Jazz, African American music, and the music of the African diaspora offer unique perspectives rooted in culture and community, the book presents a culturally relevant view of the history of jazz. It also proposes a much-needed alternative methodology for teaching this subject. The author reflects on the issues that shape the framing of jazz history and discusses how using a dialogic approach can enable students to engage in critical conversations. The student-led interviews with artists focus on themes such as diversity and inclusion, gender equity, social justice, cultural identity and identification, what the word ＂jazz＂ represents, primitivism, reflections on pedagogy, the current state of jazz education, and the development of artistic voice and creative self-expression.

This concise book will be a valuable resource for jazz educators, scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.

Anthony D.J. Branker is an adjunct professor of jazz studies at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, USA. Previously, he taught at Princeton University for 27 years, where he held an endowed chair in jazz studies and was founding director of the program in jazz studies until his retirement in 2016.