Original version

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Truth about Jazz

Documentaries

Music

The Truth About Jazz

Clive Myrie examines the stories of protest, politics and diplomacy behind jazz.

Clive Myrie examines the stories of protest, politics and diplomacy behind jazz - from its roots in New Orleans and early pioneers like Buddy Bolden through to the songs of protest written and performed by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and many others.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Truth about Jazz: The voice of America

The voice of America

BBC Radio 4 - The Truth about Jazz, The voice of America

Clive Myrie continues his series on the history of jazz protest, politics and diplomacy

Clive Myrie continues his examination of jazz,  protest, politics & diplomacy. In this episode he explores the use of soft power as jazz is introduced to audiences around the world

Clive Myrie hears more about how jazz was used as a form of 'soft power' by the American establishment, via Voice of America radio broadcasts beyond the Iron Curtain. The State department was persuaded to send America’s biggest stars overseas to promote US music, and the tours would bring jazz to new audiences all over the world. The programme looks at how Martin Luther King inspired jazz musicians in life and death Clive hears how a 16-year-old Danny Scher persuaded Thelonius Monk to play to a predominantly white audience at his high school in California in the late 60s.

Producers: Ashley Byrne and Wayne Wright.
The Truth About Jazz is a Made in Manchester Production and was originally produced for the BBC World Service

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Truth about Jazz

The voice of America

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service