Jazz in the Hill: Nightlife and Narratives of a Pittsburgh Neighborhood

In Jazz in the Hill: Nightlife and Narratives of a Pittsburgh Neighborhood, Colter Harper explores how jazz shaped the Hill District and created a self-determined African American community. He highlights the network of patrons, business owners, and musicians who were actively invested in community building, addressing distinctive eras and issues of twentieth-century American urban history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

In the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, the Hill District played a pivotal role in the cultural life of the Black community from the 1920s to the 1960s. It was not only a hub for jazz music but also a vibrant neighborhood that fostered a unique way of life. Colter Harper's book, Jazz in the Hill: Nightlife and Narratives of a Pittsburgh Neighborhood, delves into the profound impact of jazz on this community.

Beyond providing a backdrop for remarkable musical careers, jazz clubs in the Hill District played a crucial role in the development of a self-determined African American community. These clubs became centers of social and cultural activity, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among residents.

Harper's book explores the history of entrepreneurship, placemaking, labor organizing, and critical listening in the Hill District. By examining these aspects, he establishes connections to larger political contexts, processes of urban development, and civil rights struggles. Harper adopts a broad approach in thinking about jazz clubs, foregrounding the network of patrons, business owners, and musicians who were actively invested in community building.

Jazz in the Hill provides a valuable case study detailing the intersections of music, political and cultural history, public policy, labor, and law. The book addresses distinctive eras and issues of twentieth-century American urban history, including notions of vice during the Prohibition Era (1920–1934); blight during the mid-twentieth century boom in urban redevelopment (1946–1973); and workplace integration during the civil rights era (1954–1968). Throughout, Harper demonstrates how the clubs, as a nexus of music, politics, economy, labor, and social relations, supported the livelihood of residents and artists while developing cultures of listening and learning.

While the Hill District has undergone extensive socioeconomic transformation, this musical legacy continues to guide current development visions for the neighborhood. The community seeks to preserve the cultural heritage and vitality of the Hill while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

In conclusion, Jazz in the Hill offers a rich and insightful exploration of the intersection of music, politics, culture, and community. Through its detailed account of the Hill District's jazz scene, the book sheds light on the enduring impact of music on shaping urban spaces and fostering social change. It serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite people, build communities, and leave a lasting legacy.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496849854