How Did Charles Mingus Influence The Civil Rights Movement
The African American civil rights movement (1955-1968) was a social movement that saw
direct action from individuals, groups and communities outlawing racial discrimination.
Influential civil rights activists such as jazz composer and bass player Charles Mingus
pushed this movement into a more radical position. Mingus was powerful in forming
public opinion as he was able to reach the largely African-American jazz community, the
predominant music during the civil rights movement (CRM). This essay evaluates the
significance of Charles Mingus’ role in the American CRM.
During the 1950’s-1960’s, the Southern States in the United States of America were openly
discriminating against Black Americans.1
activists speak …show more content…
In 1962, the song was re-recorded with lyrics to further
. Musicians joined Mingus’ protest and thus presented
. Thus, he could use music as a vehicle to express
3
Thomas Avgenicos
strong political views supported the clear activism13
Mingus’ freedom for justice through music was an effective way of influencing the ordinate
classes and subordinate classes. This was achieved through compositional devices and was
highly effective as it exemplified counterculture through music. He played bebop; a style of
modern jazz that developed in New York City during the early 1940s. It contained fast tempos,
open soloing and complicated improvisation.14
from post 1940s, bebop was a form of aesthetic protest and rebellion.15
as disobedient, sometimes aggressive, and an edge which related the music to the permanent
black experience of oppression and discrimination in the USA.16
interacted with the communal ideas of the CRM.17He merged musical elements that represented
diverse social groups within the Black community. He combined modern bebop elements with
blues and sacred gospel music, representative of the lower
direct action from individuals, groups and communities outlawing racial discrimination.
Influential civil rights activists such as jazz composer and bass player Charles Mingus
pushed this movement into a more radical position. Mingus was powerful in forming
public opinion as he was able to reach the largely African-American jazz community, the
predominant music during the civil rights movement (CRM). This essay evaluates the
significance of Charles Mingus’ role in the American CRM.
During the 1950’s-1960’s, the Southern States in the United States of America were openly
discriminating against Black Americans.1
activists speak …show more content…
In 1962, the song was re-recorded with lyrics to further
. Musicians joined Mingus’ protest and thus presented
. Thus, he could use music as a vehicle to express
3
Thomas Avgenicos
strong political views supported the clear activism13
Mingus’ freedom for justice through music was an effective way of influencing the ordinate
classes and subordinate classes. This was achieved through compositional devices and was
highly effective as it exemplified counterculture through music. He played bebop; a style of
modern jazz that developed in New York City during the early 1940s. It contained fast tempos,
open soloing and complicated improvisation.14
from post 1940s, bebop was a form of aesthetic protest and rebellion.15
as disobedient, sometimes aggressive, and an edge which related the music to the permanent
black experience of oppression and discrimination in the USA.16
interacted with the communal ideas of the CRM.17He merged musical elements that represented
diverse social groups within the Black community. He combined modern bebop elements with
blues and sacred gospel music, representative of the lower