political Archives - JAZZ IMPRESSIONS

Joe Henderson – Power To The People

From two great tenor sax players to another, today’s post focusses on Joe Henderson’s politically titled track ‘Power To The People’ from his album of the same name, released on Milestone in 1969. Mainly compromised of Henderson originals, this album was the first in a string of political albums Henderson released in the late 60s and early 70s which were inspired by an increased awareness of black issues and the Black Power movement which reached its peak at the beginning of the 70s.

Bobby Hutcherson – Black Heroes

Our last post explored We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite (1960), a pivotal work which set the blueprint for many protest records to follow. Bobby Hutcherson’s album Now!, released on Blue Note in 1970, was one of those records which continued to build on the powerful political and musical statement Roach had made ten years prior.

Max Roach – Tears for Johannesburg

As tens of thousands of protestors march against police brutality and systemic racism, one album demands to be heard. We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite is a protest record from 1960, and the inspiration behind many subsequent works including ‘The Reverend King Suite’ from Jack DeJohnette’s Sorcery (1974). As Ollie mentioned, Roach said after its release: “I will never again play anything that does not have social significance.”

Duke Ellington – Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues)

The last post looked at Duke Ellington’s album Money Jungle, a meeting of three of the greatest minds in jazz. We continue our journey with Ellington, this time looking at how he turned to the East for inspiration for his 1967 album, Far East Suite.

Max Roach – Effi

The previous post focussed on ‘Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting’ from Charles Mingus’ political and earthy album Blues & Roots. Today, I look at the album Members, Don’t Git Weary, released on Atlantic in 1968 by a musical contemporary of Mingus, the great Max Roach, one of the most influential drummers in the history of jazz. Roach was a bebop pioneer and changed the way drummers played jazz, elevating the drummer from accompanist to major player.

Charles Mingus – Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

You just heard altoist Jackie McLean, a man with the (actually very common) distinction of playing with and having his teeth knocked out by Charles Mingus, one of the greatest composers and bassists in jazz history, and a great friend of Joni Mitchell (that’s not a euphemism).