Encounters with Jazz on Television in Cold War Era Portugal: 1954-1974

During the Cold War in Portugal, the relationship between jazz and television was complex, with state-controlled television playing a significant role in fostering cultural diversity. This book explores the experiences of performers and producers in one of the last European colonial states during this period, highlighting the paradoxical interrelationship between state-controlled television and international media industries. It maps the institutionalization of jazz in Portugal as a social and musical practice, examining the musicians, repertoires, production processes, broadcasts, policies, and strategies that fueled the launch of Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP) and the rise of television. The book also addresses opportunities for in-depth comparison of the Portuguese experience with that of other countries, situating Cold War-era Portuguese television jazz broadcasting as part of a bigger, still unwritten story.

Format: Hardback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Encounters with Jazz on Television in Cold War Era Portugal: 1954–1974 delves into the intricate relationship between jazz and television, shedding light on the experiences of performers and producers in one of the last European colonial states, Portugal, during a period characterized by political and social repression and global isolation. This groundbreaking approach to systemic analysis unveils a paradoxical interplay between state-controlled television and the international media industry, highlighting the spaces where these two forces collide and situating television jazz production within a significant cultural milieu with enduring implications for Portuguese society.

From the initial feasibility studies for a proposed public television service in 1954 to the military coup that brought an end to the far-right Estado Novo regime in 1974, this book meticulously charts the institutionalization of jazz in Portugal as a social and musical practice. It examines the musicians, repertoires, production processes, broadcasts, policies, and strategies that propelled the launch of Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP) and the rise of television as an indispensable new medium, granting Portuguese people access to a broader world.

In its exploration of the connections between these national and international jazz scenes, Encounters with Jazz on Television in Cold War Era Portugal: 1954–1974 addresses the potential for in-depth comparisons of the Portuguese experience with those of other countries, positioning Cold War-era Portuguese television jazz broadcasting as a part of a larger, yet untold, narrative. By delving into the complexities of this period, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which jazz intersected with politics, culture, and society, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the role of television in shaping musical and cultural landscapes during the Cold War era.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367489045