Probes New Orleans' history, uncovering a web of racial interconnections and animosities that was instrumental to the creation of a vital American art form - jazz. This book shows how musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton, Nick La Rocca, and Louis Armstrong negotiated New Orleans' complex racial rules to pursue their craft.
Exploring the rich history of New Orleans, this book delves into the complex racial dynamics that shaped the emergence of jazz. Utilizing a variety of sources, including oral histories and vintage recordings, it vividly depicts the neighborhoods and venues integral to this iconic music genre. Through its detailed examination, it uncovers the intertwined narratives of community and conflict that contributed to the development of jazz as a vital American art form.