A Look at Black History Through Jazz

Jazz is more than just music—it’s a powerful lens through which we can understand Black history in America. Born from African American communities in the early 20th century, jazz became both a soundtrack and a voice for cultural identity, resilience, and change.

Join Sanford Josephson, Editor of Jersey Jazz Magazine, for an enlightening and entertaining exploration of Black history through the lens of jazz. Using video clips of legendary African-American jazz artists, this presentation delves into the complex, sometimes painful, and always powerful story of jazz in America.

Discover the paradoxes of the Harlem Renaissance, where world-class Black performers played in famous nightclubs that admitted only white audiences. Hear firsthand accounts of the hardships African-American musicians faced while touring in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s—from discriminatory hotels and restaurants to segregated audiences. Learn about the courageous Black artists who became expatriates to escape the racism they encountered at home, and celebrate the jazz heroes—both Black and white—who broke barriers, integrating bands and challenging social norms long before it was widely accepted.

Through stories, clips, and captivating history, Josephson brings to life the triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacy of the musicians who shaped jazz—and America itself.

Sanford Josephson, a resident of Basking Ridge, NJ, is the author of Jeru’s Journey: The Life and Music of Gerry Mulligan (Hal Leonard Books), published in October 2015, and Jazz Notes: Interviews Across the Generations (Praeger/ABC-Clio), published in June 2009. He is currently Editor of Jersey Jazz Magazine, published by the New Jersey Jazz Society, and has written extensively about jazz musicians in publications ranging from the New York Daily News to American Way Magazine. Josephson is one of 90 journalists and photographers who contributed to The Jazz Omnibus -- 21st-Century Photos and Writings by Members of the Jazz Journalists Association, recently published by Cymbal Press.

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.