Music for troubled times

There is a grand tradition of jazz being a social commentary music when needed. Consider the Louis Armstrong-Dave and Iola Brubeck-Carmen McRae and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross collaboration on the "The Real Ambassadors project in 1961. Or "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite" with the drummer's then-wife Abbey Lincoln.

Dave Brubeck

Susan Brink

Over the years, there have been quite a few more. Fellow Jazz Journalists Association member and broadcaster Susan Brink put together a keen playlist for her Jazz Sanctuary program that aired last night, Monday, July 16, on WOOC 105.3 FM in Troy NY, where she is jazz music director.

Susan came up with some gems, before noting that she "wasn't sure what goes well with treason" - in the aftermath of the Helsinki "summit." I particularly liked the inclusion of the Dred Scott Trio's "This Ain't No Russian Novel, Baby" and Betty Carter's "Please Do Something." 

Here's a link to her July 16 program.

Check it out, and think hard about the list. Doubtless, it may trigger some other choices of your own given the state of affairs today.