Dave Brubeck and the Performance of Whiteness

Dave Brubeck's legacy and impact as a jazz musician and composer for social justice causes are explored in Kelsey Klotz's book "Dave Brubeck and the Performance of Whiteness." It examines how Brubeck performed and re-performed whiteness across his professional, private, and political lives, and how it shaped the experiences of his critics, audiences, and himself. The book uses archival records, recordings, and previously conducted interviews to listen closely for the complex and shifting frames of mid-century whiteness and how they shaped the experiences of Brubeck's critics, audiences, and himself.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

It is undeniable that Dave Brubeck, a renowned jazz musician, and composer, leveraged his fame and status to advocate for social justice causes, particularly during the civil rights movement. He held a belief system that modeled a progressive approach to race and race relations, which was a significant contribution to the movement. However, it is important to note that Brubeck, like many others, took time to fully understand the complex racial power dynamics that were prevalent in post-World War II, early Cold War, and civil rights-era America.

Dave Brubeck and the Performance of Whiteness, by author Kelsey Klotz, takes a unique approach to understanding the legacy and impact of Brubeck by examining his performances of whiteness across his professional, private, and political lives. The book uses Brubeck's performances as a starting point to explore how whiteness, privilege, and white supremacy manifested in mid-century America. It delves into the ways in which whiteness is performed and re-performed, the traits that become associated with whiteness, and how these traits, once racialized in a listener's mind, filter the sounds they hear.

The book also explores the extent to which Brubeck's whiteness was shaped by others and how audiences and critics used him to craft their own identities centered in whiteness. By drawing on archival records, recordings, and previously conducted interviews, Klotz provides a close listening for the complex and shifting frames of mid-century whiteness and how they shaped the experiences of Brubeck's critics, audiences, and himself.

Throughout the book, Klotz raises important questions about what happens when a musician tries to intervene, using their privilege as a tool to disrupt structures of white supremacy. While whiteness continues to retain its hold on its beneficiaries, Brubeck's example demonstrates the power of music to challenge and transform societal norms.

In conclusion, Dave Brubeck's legacy and impact as a musician and social justice advocate are profound. Through his performances of whiteness and his commitment to progressive ideals, he played a significant role in shaping the conversation around race and race relations in mid-century America. Kelsey Klotz's book, Dave Brubeck and the Performance of Whiteness, provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of Brubeck's life and work, and its insights into the performance of whiteness and its impact on society are essential for all who seek to understand the complexities of our past and present.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197525074