Blog #3 Racism to the Forefront

Given that race has always been a discourse in the history of jazz, why did race become explicitly written and talked about in the 1930’s in the “Swing Era?”


It wasn't until the 30s that Jazz really began to blow up nationwide as a genre. It could be easily argued that it was the life of most parties, and with the deliverance of radio gave it an even easier avenue into any household. No longer were the barriers of distance, race or affluence a main factor, now the music could easily be accessed wherever someone wanted to listen. 

With the onset of the great depression, many people lost their jobs and resorted to other means to support their families. It was during this time that the style of swing jazz became extremely popular nationwide, and also a time for white performers to better penetrate the highly segregated genre and profession. "Racially, jazz was perceived as uncouth and primitive, a variety of music associated with African Americans, and the arena for a dangerous social miscegenation" (Swing Changes, 53). This was changed with the new exposure that white artists were receiving from the radio. 

The increased social tension that resulted from the new competitive nature of swing jazz led to many black artists being "pushed" out of the genre. Without connections and privilege, which most of the white musicians had, the black artists were unable to compete regardless of their competency in their performance. While the listener was relatively unable to discern the color the performers skin on the radio, the radio station had the authority to determine who they allowed to play on their station - which was a major roadblock for many black bands. 

With the white emergence into a normally black populated musical realm. It became impossible to not bring the issue to inequality to the forefront. Potentially out of fear of revolution or mob style revolt, some of the population began to move towards the discussion of connection and an equal playing field, where before it was nonexistent. While this is far from equality, it was a monumental first step in its direction. 


Commented on Addison Jerlow