From the late 40s and onward, many African Americans converted to Islam. The rise of Elijah Muhammad, and the teachings of the NOI (Nation of Islam) were gaining a foothold with many blacks. The NOI conversion numbers saw new heights with the popularity of Malcolm X in the 60s. Taking a quick look at the jazz world in the period from the late 40s and onward, you’d see the effect this had on black jazz musicians. Many converted to Islam, and changed their names. Click here for a fairly comprehensive list of jazz musicians who converted to Islam.
Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Hard bop, Jazz, Video, Art Blakey, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Blue Note, Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Freddie Hubbard, hard bop, Hardbop, Jymie Merritt, Wayne Shorter
