“My own feelings about the direction in which jazz should go are that there should be much less stress on technical exhibitionism and much more on emotional content, on what might be termed humanity in music and the freedom to say all that you want.”   – Booker Little

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom.  If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.”  – Charlie Parker

From its roots in African tribal music and spirituals, to influences from Gospel, the Blues, and even Hip Hop, Jazz is considered by many to be the only true [North] American musical art-form.  It’s development has drawn parallels from a number of societal changes – from the Civil Rights Movement, to the death of Trayvon Martin.  Whether it’s Nina Simone’s Young, Gifted, and Black, Charles Mingus’ “Good-bye Pork Pie Hat”, or Robert Glasper’s Black Radio 2, Jazz artists have used their music to reflect upon and comment on the world around them.  We’ll look at some of the connections between Jazz and an ever-changing society.