The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 heralded the White Australia Policy. This culture of whiteness would inevitably affect music in Australia. In this episode we look at the 1928 tour by Sonny Clay’s Colored Idea, the first African-American jazz band to tour Australia. We also look at ways the White Australia Policy continued to affect music even after the policy was dismantled.
Playlist
Louis Armstrong: Basin Street Blues
Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Jambled Blues
Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Plantation Blues
Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Devil’s Serenade
Leon Rene’s Orchestra: I’m An African
Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Gang O’Blues
The Caretaker: Weeping Ballroom
Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Front Room Blues
Louis Jordan: Caledonia
Roy Brown: Good Rockin’ Tonight
Georgia Lee: Yarra River Blues
Ella Fitzgerald: Come To My House
Dizzy Gillespie: I Know That You Know
Chuck Berry: Back In The USA
Miles Davis: Right Off
Last Poets: On The Subway
Talking Heads: Listening Wind
The Herd: 77%