The Relevance of Jazz in Modern Historiography

Author: Chun, Bradley (Kaulana)

Year: 2021

Degree: Other

Advisor: Unknown, Unknown

Committee Member: None, None

Option: Humanities

DOI: 10.7907/sj9x-qs25

Abstract

[Introduction] Power and information often go hand in hand. Those who have the power to shape the world around them exercise that power to affect how they are viewed, and their ability to control cultural narratives in this way cements their power. Disempowered minorities are not only oppressed but suppressed, either circumstantially (through limited access to education and academia) or directly (through propaganda and silencing). When studying African American history, it becomes especially important to include as many perspectives as possible because of the systemic silencing and misinformation that these people have faced for centuries. In their article "Why Jazz Still Matters," historian Dr. Gerald Early and ethnomusicologist Dr. Ingrid Monson argue that jazz, both as a set of musical forms and a broader culture surrounding them, provides an insightful perspective on the oft-overlooked lives of society's oppressed peoples. While not traditionally viewed as a historical record, jazz has preserved generations of emotions and stories within its complex forms and expressions. Referencing the ideas of some of the most influential figures in jazz, the authors draw connections between the music stylings of jazz and the values that it encouraged.