Thinking about jazz

Presented by T.J. English

THIS IS A LIVE EVENT ONLY.

This special program will be live and in person so we can welcome acclaimed, best-selling author, T.J. English. His recent book, Dangerous Rhythms tells the symbiotic story of jazz and the underworld that emerged from some of 20thcentury America’s most notorious vice districts, where mobster-owned clubs determined who played and got paid. For the first half of the century, mobsters and musicians enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership by offering artists like Louis Armstrong, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald a prominent stage. The mob, including major players like Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, “Lucky” Luciano and Mickey Cohen provided opportunities that otherwise would not have existed. The resulting racial diversity of the clubs and speakeasies pave the way for some of America’s greatest artists to find their voice. Regardless, at the heart of this relationship was a festering racial inequality. Musicians were mostly African American; clubs were owned by white men. It was a glorified plantation system that, over time, would find itself out of tune with the coming civil rights movement. Gangsterism was prevalent in the clubs. Some artists, including Louis Armstrong, wanted to play in “protected” joints, believing they were safer and more likely to be paid fairly if they worked in them. Others believed that playing in venues outside mob rule would make it easier to earn a higher wage and have more freedom and control over their careers. The mob also used the “cabaret card” license to hold sway over numerous performers including Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk who were denied employment following drug violations, in some cases at the height of their careers. T.J. English is telling us a fascinating story that brings to light the struggles of jazz artists trying to create, promote and control their own creativity. This promises to be a memorable presentation.