All of the brutality endured by a race of people brought to this country against their will is evident in the voices of these men. Despite all of the suffering and indignities, there was the African spirit that encouraged hope and sometimes joy. In this rural area where I was raised and presently live, the people sing the old spirituals during the Prayer Service prior to the Church Service. There were 33 students in the class, all but two of them Black. After class, the two white students remained and asked me what was the purpose of playing that particular selection in a class offering jazz.
Jazz is a music of the spirit.
In my opinion, jazz is the highest form of musical art conceived by human beings. It allows freedom of artistic expression. It challenges and strengthens a person's self-confidence. The origin of this music is a problem with many white jazz historians, managers and musicians. Jazz is Black music, played and sung best by Black musicians.