Black Nationalism & the Revolution in Music

by Frank Kofsky

Book Overview

Book This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873481496
• ISBN13: 9780873481496
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY)
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Essential !

Kofsky has filled a serious gap in Jazz criticism with this exciting book. This book helps understand some of the processes that took place in Jazz since the 40's, with an emphasis on the sixties. The book never pretends to be "purely objective", as if there is such a thing. Kofsky holds Marxist views and is not ashamed to express them. He does not say that the musicians he discusses necessarily share his views, but he does try to prove that their condition validates his theories. Kofsky is furious at those who control the business of jazz for preventing some the most creative artists from getting the exposure they deserve. He believes that the creative forces in jazz have always responded to the oppression blacks, and especially black musicians, have had to endure. He criticizing jazz critics for ignoring the social aspects of the music and for being unable to understand some of the basic processes in Jazz. He credits Amiri Baraka for his valuable contribution to the understanding of the music. The book is never a substitute for the music itself - no book ever is. Still, I am now reading it for the second time, appreciating it even more, and finding new insights into the art of some of my favorite musicians.