February as Black History Month has its roots as early as 1915, thanks to being the birthdays of Frederick Douglass–an abolitionist, writer, and statesman who had escaped slavery, and president Abraham Lincoln. In Canada this year the theme is “Canadians of African Descent: Going Forward, Guided by the Past”.

This week’s program pays a tribute to the history of jazz, blues, and ragtime.

I’ll talk about some of the earliest roots of jazz in America and Europe—celebrating the music of JellyRoll Morton, Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, and James Reese Europe.

You’ll also hear a lot from Victoria’s Louise Rose, and her recent tribute to Black History Month.

I play recordings by Oscar Peterson and Harry Sweets Edison, Charles Mingus, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, and Joe Williams.

You’ll also hear about how jazz has historically always addressed social issues of racism and injustice. And how both playing and moving away from classic blues and spirituals is an expression of freedom, and can always be called ‘political’ when performed by enslaved people.