Black Music in Europe

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Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe, from the birth of recorded sound to the present day.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History: Series 3: Late 1950s and early 1960s

07/04/2020

Late 1950s and early 1960s

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History, Series 3, Late 1950s and early 1960s

Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe in a new series. 

Clarke Peters embarks on a third series uncovering a surprising history of Black music in Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s.

Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters embarks on a third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s.
 
This was an era that saw countries such as Algeria, Jamaica, Cape Verde and Trinidad shake off European colonialism.  These nations expressed their new found sense of freedom through songs, many recorded in European studios.

From the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, through the decolonisation years and beyond, this series hears from modern Black musicians, commentators and historians, to get to the heart of Black music in Europe. 
 
Clarke explores the variety of Black music produced in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s - Congolese rumba recorded in Brussels, Algerian chaabi in Paris and the emergence of the Notting Hill Carnival in London. We also hear how North African music inspired a revolution in folk guitar.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden
Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History: Series 3

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe.

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Black Music in Europe: A Hidden History

Series 3

Late 1950s and early 1960s

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