Add to Playlist Emma Rawicz and Julian Joseph, with special guest Rhiannon Giddens
Sep 13, 2024
Jazz pianist and bandleader Julian Joseph discusses the interplay of musical harmony and groove, linking Elton John's work to modern Southern jazz. Rhiannon Giddens, a Grammy-winning musician and banjo specialist, explores the banjo's roots, tracing its journey from West Africa to America. She demonstrates early gourd-bodied banjos and clarifies the connection between the akonting and modern banjo. The conversation delves into the suppression of Black musical histories and the significance of preserving these stories.
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Southern Roots Shape Modern Jazz
- Sean Mason's "Southern Suite" channels North Carolina roots and the blues, taught by his community and church.
- Julian highlights Mason's studiousness and dignity as key to his distinctive, rooted sound.
Betty Davis: Southern Provocateur
- Anna introduces Betty Davis as a provocative, trailblazing artist from Durham, North Carolina.
- She recounts Davis's background, modeling career, and early musical exposure via her grandmother.
Influential Yet Marginalised
- Betty Davis influenced major artists like Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix but remained under-recognised.
- Her bold, sexualised stage persona led to backlash from institutions like the NAACP and limited mainstream acceptance.