Django Generations: Hearing Ethnorace, Citizenship, and Jazz Manouche in France

Jazz manouche is a French musical genre that celebrates the recorded work of Django Reinhardt and is named for the ethnoracial subgroup of Romanies to which he belonged. This book explores how this music is used to construct divergent ethnoracial and national identities in a context where discussions of race are otherwise censured, generating ethnoracial difference and socioeconomic exclusion. It is the first full-length ethnographic study of French jazz to be published in English and enriches anthropological, ethnomusicological, and historical scholarship on global jazz, race and ethnicity, and citizenship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Jazz manouche, a vibrant and guitar-driven genre that has gained immense popularity in France throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, holds a special place in the country's musical heritage. Named after the ethnoracial subgroup of Romanies, also known as "Gypsies," it pays tribute to the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt, who left an indelible mark on the genre. While French Manouches are widely celebrated for their contribution to jazz manouche, they face pervasive discrimination despite their cultural significance.

In his book, "Jazz Manouche," Siv B. Lie delves into the intricate ways in which this music is employed to shape diverse ethnoracial and national identities in a society where discussions on race are often suppressed. Through a combination of ethnographic and historical analysis, Lie demonstrates that jazz manouche generates profound ambivalence as it simultaneously creates ethnoracial difference and socioeconomic exclusion. As the first comprehensive ethnographic study of French jazz published in English, this book contributes significantly to anthropological, ethnomusicological, and historical scholarship on global jazz, race and ethnicity, and citizenship. It also highlights the role of music in struggles for racial and economic justice, although Lie emphasizes that music alone cannot fully address these complex issues.

Jazz manouche serves as a testament to the complex interplay between racial identities, jazz, and national belonging in France. It reflects the country's history of multiculturalism and the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities to assert their identity and gain recognition. While French Manouches are celebrated for their musical contributions, they continue to face discrimination and marginalization, highlighting the need for continued efforts to promote inclusivity and equality in society.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226811000