Thoughts on Jazz and Race from Dean Sorenson

The recent tragic event in Minneapolis and its aftermath prompted Tritone at Bjorklunden faculty trombonist Dean Sorenson to think about jazz as an integral part of our culture. Dean is Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, whose downtown campus is very close to the site of protests and looting.

I was composing an email to send to my jazz ensemble students to share some campus resources as I know many of them are living near campus. It is impossible to send a simple message with information without addressing where we are right now. I struggled to find words, but this is what I eventually shared.

As jazz musicians, we study and perform music that is at its core Black American Music (to quote Nicholas Payton). Like any living art form, jazz moves in its own directions and has over the years absorbed a variety of influences. However, if not for the black artists that were present at its very inception, and for the black artists who have carried and continue to carry forth that lineage, we would not have jazz music as we know it today.

Jazz is beautiful. It requires harmony of an ensemble while insisting upon individual expression. Jazz can take any subject matter (a pop song, show tune, a cultural event...ANYTHING) and bring it into its fold. It will make that thing "jazz" while still maintaining the respect and integrity of the original idea. Jazz is transformative. Jazz builds community. Jazz is love.