Jazz Against Racism
By John Gauci
SYDNEY — What better way to protest against racism than through an art form whose roots are historically grounded in the struggle of an oppressed people?
Jazz literally means "wildly active" or "lively". On February 6, progressive thought and music unite to say no to racism. Many of Australia's leading jazz artists, including Vince Jones, Dale Barlow, Bernie McGann, Barnie McAll, Mike Bukovsky, Lloyd Swanson and the grandaddy of Sydney jazz, Mike Nock, will perform at Green Left Weekly's Jazz Against Racism at the Harbourside Brasserie.
It is exceptionally rare to capture this vast array of jazz artists in the one room on one evening. The event, initiated by Dale Barlow, promises to be a highlight of the 1998 jazz calendar.
The evening, to be opened by an Aboriginal elder from the La Perouse community, will include speeches by activists from the Jabiluka and defend native title campaigns and Green Left Weekly. Its aim is to raise public awareness of the racist policies of the Howard government, to help build a mass campaign against racism and to provide an opportunity for jazz musicians to speak out against racism.
Barlow is one of only two non-American jazz artists in the world to have played with the legendary Art Blakey Jazz Messengers. His band, the Wizards of Oz, has toured internationally several times and recently opened the Joint Ministerial Commission and the Australian film festival in South Africa.
Dale told Green Left Weekly that jazz, a multicultural art form, is the original world music, which began as a blend of African and European musical traditions. Music has the ability to freely combine elements from diverse cultural origins because it knows no racism, sexism, ageism, nationalism or any other "ism", he said. It either sounds good or it doesn't.
He said music has no respect for prejudice, infinitely combining and absorbing all elements it comes into contact with.
Most jazz musicians find they have an instant rapport with Latin American, classical, blues, folk, African and other forms of music although they may not have had direct experience with these musicians before. This is the legacy of a century of this process.
As Dizzy Gillespie once said, "I allow myself to be influenced by everything, so that in turn I may influence everything myself".
When asked about the connection between jazz, anti-racism and politics, Barlow replied, "While growing up in white Anglo-Saxon Australia, you soon realise that the mentors, icons and role models you have hanging on your walls are of various shades of colour.
"The black civil rights activists in the '60s included Archie Chep, Pharaoh Sanders, the Free Jazz artists and the back to Africa movement. Miles Davis had a lot to say about politics and race relations in the States. Jazz musicians tend to be on the outer and can empathise with minorities who experience living in a country where they are not valued for who they are.
"Jazz musicians are dramatically affected by the politics and the cultural and artistic climate of the country in these economic rationalist times. It's nothing new that politics, art and historical events are closely linked."
Until recently, the Australian jazz scene has been dominated by white males. This can be attributed to our cultural and political heritage, although this is gradually changing because jazz musicians are challenging it. Most who will be performing at the Jazz Against Racism have travelled the world and are politically aware. They view racism as something that damages and divides.
Barlow went on to explain that there is a great deal of solidarity and camaraderie amongst jazz musicians. During the Cold War, jazz in the Soviet Union was seen as "decadent" Western music.
Russian jazz musicians such as Valerie Ponamareze bravely defended jazz by explaining it was the music of the oppressed US underclass, and tallied very closely with the Soviet ideal of workers' role in rising up against oppressors.
Barlow's band, the Wizards of Oz, came from a mix of ethnic backgrounds that includes a didgeridoo player who speaks three Aboriginal dialects. Barlow explained that throughout history, jazz musicians have combined various elements that inspire them: Stan Getz and Latin music, John Coltrane and Indian music, and Sun Ra and African music.
"Australia doesn't seem to attach a great deal of seriousness to cultural combinations and undervalues Aboriginal culture and music. I have combined these musicians because it sounds good and inspires me."
He added that progressive thought creates progressive jazz. "Jazz is about speaking from the heart. It is a very human art form because it is spontaneous. When you improvise, you are very vulnerable because you play openly and honestly.
"Sometimes it is confrontational and some people don't like this. They prefer a version that makes them feel comfortable, no matter how wrong or inappropriate it may be. For a jazz musician, reality and truth are what is most comfortable. The real deal."