In with the In Crowd: Popular Jazz in 1960s Black America

The book "In with the In Crowd: Popular Jazz in 1960s Black America" explores why critical writings have neglected best-selling 1960s jazz as unworthy of in-depth analysis, despite its significance to the cultural identity of Black Americans. It highlights the vibrant jazz community that thrived in the 1960s, characterized by socialization, celebration, and Black pride, and provides a joyful account of the musicians, radio DJs, record labels, and live venues that supported this music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

The 1960s were a transformative decade in American history, marked by significant political and social upheaval. During this time, a new genre of jazz emerged that would go on to captivate audiences around the world. While the avant-garde jazz movement, led by musicians such as John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Albert Ayler, gained widespread recognition and acclaim, the popular jazz artists of the decade were often overlooked or marginalized in academic and critical circles. This oversight is rectified in Mike Smith's book, In with the In Crowd: Popular Jazz in 1960s Black America. Smith argues that the dominant narrative of the 1960s, which portrays jazz as solely an avant-garde art form, ignores the vibrant and diverse jazz community that thrived in Black America during this time.

In with the In Crowd explores the world of popular jazz in 1960s Black America, highlighting the contributions of musicians such as Eddie Harris, Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis, and Jimmy Smith. These artists were not only popular in their own right but also played a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape of the era. Smith delves into the socialization, celebration, and Black pride that defined popular jazz, revealing how it served as an important outlet for joy, resilience, and cultural identity for Black Americans.

The book tells the joyful story of the musicians, radio DJs, record labels, and live venues that contributed to the popularity of popular jazz in the 1960s. Smith highlights the impact of these individuals and organizations on the development and promotion of jazz, and how they worked to bring the music to a wider audience. He also explores the challenges faced by popular jazz artists, such as resistance from traditional jazz critics and the pressures of commercialization.

Through his meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Smith provides a fresh perspective on popular jazz in 1960s Black America. He challenges the notion that popular jazz was somehow inferior or unworthy of in-depth analysis, and instead presents it as a vibrant and dynamic genre that deserves to be celebrated and documented. In with the In Crowd is a valuable addition to the literature on jazz and Black culture, and will be of interest to music enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex history of popular music.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496851154