In the racially tense 1960s, jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie revolutionized music and challenged racial barriers during their tours across America.
Their journeys were fraught with indignities and dangers, particularly in the Jim Crow South, where they often were treated as second-class citizens despite their fame.
Yet, their talent and resilience brought jazz to white America and played a pivotal role in advancing civil rights. Their groundbreaking tours laid the foundation for today’s mega concert tours, where artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continue to advocate for social change, building on the legacy of these jazz pioneers.
Author Larry Tye joined us on “LA Times Today” to discuss how they broke barriers and transformed the music industry.
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