Defying segregation
Today spotlight on the rare occasions where African-American artists worked together with their white colleagues. Whether it was in the safe environment of a New York studio, or in the middle of difficulties that arose from touring the South with a mixed combo, here just the best musicians found each other no matter what color or race.
Today you'll get the great music of African-American singers fronting white bands, a black man leading an all-white combo, all-mixed ensembles, an all-female integrated big band and two men who proclaimed themselves part of the African-American community. And once more the story of Polk Miller who toured the nation in the early 1900s with three African-American musicians, to bring old-time songs from the slavery era.
Playlist
- Polk Miller's Old South Quartette - What A Time
- Harry James & Helen Humes - Jubilee
- Benny Goodman - My Daddy Rocks Me
- Steve Washington - Blue River
- Blind Willie Dunn's Gin Bottle Four - Blue Blood Blues
- Jan Savitt feat. George Bon Bon Tunnell - 720 In The Books
- International Sweethearts of Rhythm - Tuxedo Junction
- Erskine Butterfield & His Blue Boys - The Devil Sat Down And Cried
- Etta Jones - Blow Top Blues
- Mezz Mezzrow - Really the Blues
- Johnny Otis - Doggin' Blues
- Charlie Christian - Waiting For Benny
- Sidney Bechet & Mezz Mezzrow - Minor Swoon
- Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Blue Room Blues
Outtro:
- Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
- Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
- Benny Goodman - Flying Home
- International Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Sweet Georgia Brown
- Johnny Otis - Turkey Hop Pt. 1
- Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Blue Guitars
- Lonnie Johnson & Blind Willie Dunn - Deep Minor Rhythm
- Mezz Mezzrow - My Daddy Rocks Me