Jazz, Joy and Justice: The Stories Every American Should Know

By Doug Goodkin

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all American school children learned something about our great American art form of jazz? If they not only listened to and played their music, but also learned the stories of our American jazz geniuses? If by hearing these stories, they also came to understand something of how systemic racism has hurt and continues to hurt us all? If they were inspired to begin the long walk toward justice, accompanied by the joy of jazz?

Jazz, Joy and Justice is the trio that will help us as we stand at the crossroads between education and catastrophe. It sings out the songs of our triumph and shame, our joy and our pain, our happiness and our sorrow, our yesterday and tomorrow. If you love jazz, find out the hidden stories of some of your favorite musicians. If you love justice, discover how jazz musicians did so much more than entertain. If you need some joy in your day, listen to the musical examples suggested in these pages.

Come join Louis, Ella, Duke, Lady Day, Monk, Miles and many more to consider how to make the world our children deserve as beautiful and swingin’ as the music they created.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685621902

Doug Goodkin

Doug Goodkin is an internationally recognized Orff Schulwerk music teacher, teaching in over 50 countries worldwide. He worked with children from three years old to eighth grade in The San Francisco School for 45 years, is the author of nine books and writes a blog, titled Confessions of a Traveling Music Teacher. He is also the pianist in the jazz quintet Doug Goodkin & the Pentatonics and is featured in the documentary film The Secret Song. His work has been described as “a long, earnest and continuing struggle to present music of integrity in a way that nurtures social justice and affirms our collective humanity”.

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