Ep 1, Part 1: White Australia Blues

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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%