Gerald Wilson, a pivotal figure in jazz history, is celebrated for his innovative musical contributions and the lasting impact of his orchestra on the genre worldwide. This biography, enriched by interviews, captures Wilson's personal journey and artistic evolution, which he referred to as his "jazz pilgrimage." Steven Loza offers insights into Wilson's life and legacy, highlighting his significance in shaping contemporary jazz and his roots in Shelby, Mississippi.
Challenging traditional approaches to music studies, the book explores diverse global examples of musical expression. It encourages readers to rethink established norms and encourages a broader understanding of music's role in culture and society. Through critical analysis, it highlights innovative practices and perspectives, making it a thought-provoking resource for anyone interested in the complexities of music and its impact worldwide.
This collection explores Chicano, Mexican, and Cuban musical forms and styles and their transformation in the United States. Employing musical, historical, and sociocultural analyses, Loza addresses issues such as marginality, identity, intercultural conflict and aesthetics, reinterpretation, postnationalism, and mestizaje--the mixing of race and culture--in the production and reception of Chicano/Latino music. Barrio Harmonics opens with a comprehensive overview that begins with music in the US Southwest in the seventeenth century and ends with the Grammy Awards for Latin American music in the first decade of the twenty-first century. In the following chapters, Loza discusses artists whose music ranges from sones, rancheros, and corridos to Latin jazz, R & B, and rock and roll. Among those he considers in depth are Pancho Sánchez, Lalo Guerrero, Tito Puente, and Los Lobos. He also surveys the contributions of scores of other individuals and groups who have shaped the current contour of Chicano/Latino music. Other topics include the music industry and the impact of globalization, the African diaspora, and Latin American music in Japan. In addition, Loza offers a candid assessment of intellectual capitalism and the void of nonwestern voices in contemporary scholarship.
