Sounds of History: Jazz

By Michelle K. Berry

To celebrate Black History Month, 2024, the PHC partnered with Hotel Congress and 3 local high school jazz bands to put on a show!

The event was inspired by the work of two UArizona scholars, Tyina Steptoe and Derrais Carter. Both work on the power and importance of Black music historically. In particular, Dr. Steptoe’s book Houston Bound: Culture and Color in a Jim Crow City shows how, in the early 20th century Jim Crow South, music like jazz created opportunities for communities to come together despite rigid segregation and racism. High school extra curricular activities (like athletics and band) also helped facilitate a sense of community and neighborhood especially for Black Americans who had recently arrived in the Texas city. Steptoe and Carter spoke in between the performances of the Tucson High School Jazz Band, the Salpointe High School Jazz Band, and the Catalina Foothills Jazz Band.

Nearly 300 people attended the event and learned not only about the power and history of the musical genre Jazz but also about the different kinds of music that spun from it. Neto Portillo, a beloved DJ in Tucson for many years, spoke about Latin Jazz and its historical popularity throughout the region, while Dr. Carter described for the audience the traces of jazz in 1970s disco.

L-R Neto Portillo; Derrais Carter; Tyina Steptoe. Photos by Michelle K. Berry

Attendees mentioned how fun it was to learn about the music they were listening to and the energy of the young musicians was contagious as the standing-room only crowd tapped their feet and clapped along.

To listen to some clips and see the musicians in action, click here! Thanks to Enrique Brown, UArizona graduate 2023, for the video and sound footage.

The PHC is so grateful to Hotel Congress for hosting the event at no cost to the schools or the PHC. Look for more Sounds of History events coming soon!