Statesman of the Piano: Jazz, Race, and History in the Life of Lou Hooper

Lou Hooper was a jazz pianist from Ontario who began his career in Detroit and moved to Harlem, recording extensively in Tin Pan Alley. He was an early teacher of Oscar Peterson and was deeply involved in the jazz community in Montreal. During the Second World War, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces and entertained the troops in Europe. Statesman of the Piano is a new book that reconstructs his life and times, including photographs, concert programs, lyrics, and other documents. It includes annotations and commentary from historians, archivists, musicians, and cultural critics, examining themes such as cross-border travels and wartime experiences of Black musicians, the politics of archiving and curating, and the connections between race and music in the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Lou Hooper, a jazz pianist hailing from Ontario, embarked on his professional journey in Detroit, where he accompanied renowned blues singers like Ma Rainey at the iconic Koppin Theatre. In 1921, he relocated to Harlem, sharing the stage with Paul Robeson and extensively recording in and around Tin Pan Alley. Subsequently, in the 1930s, he made his way to Montreal, where he became a prominent figure in the jazz community. Hooper's prolific career and profound influence extended to his role as an early teacher of Oscar Peterson. He was deeply embedded in the Montreal jazz scene, contributing to its growth and vitality.

When World War II erupted, Hooper joined the Canadian Armed Forces and performed for the troops stationed in Europe. As his life drew to a close, Hooper achieved widespread recognition for his exceptional career and historical significance in jazz. Unfortunately, his autobiography remained unpublished.

Now, for the first time, Statesman of the Piano makes this remarkable document widely accessible. This comprehensive collection includes photographs, concert programs, lyrics, and other materials that reconstruct Hooper's life and times. Historians, archivists, musicians, and cultural critics provide annotations and commentary, delving into various themes that emerge from Hooper's writing and music.

Statesman of the Piano ignites fresh discussions about Hooper's legacy while shedding light on the transnational journeys and wartime experiences of Black musicians. It explores the politics of archiving and curating, as well as the intricate connections between race and music in the twentieth century. Through this captivating exploration, Statesman of the Piano offers a profound and multifaceted perspective on the life and work of Lou Hooper, a jazz pianist whose impact continues to resonate today.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228018803