Human Conditions: ‘Black Music’ by Amiri Baraka

In 'Black Music', a collection of essays, liner notes and interviews from 1959 to 1967, Amiri Baraka captures the ferment, energy and excitement of the avant-garde jazz scene. Published while he still went by LeRoi Jones, it provides a composite picture of Baraka’s evolving thought, aesthetic values and literary experimentation. In this episode, Brent and Adam discuss the ways in which Baraka tackled the challenge of writing about music and his intimate connections to the major players in jazz. Whether you’re familiar with the music or totally new to the New Thing, 'Black Music' is an essential guide to a period of political and artistic upheaval. Brent Hayes Edwards is a scholar of African American and Francophone literature and of jazz studies at Columbia University. Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk Further reading in the LRB: Adam Shatz: The Freedom Principle https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2014/may/the-freedom-principle Adam Shatz: On Ornette Coleman https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v37/n14/adam-shatz/diary Philip Clark: On Cecil Taylor https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2018/april/cecil-taylor-1929-2018 Ian Penman: Birditis https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v36/n02/ian-penman/birditis