Ella Fitzgerald Louis Armstrong Billie Holiday Frank Sinatra
In 1961writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin said, “To be Black in this country and relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time.”
Historically, African Americans have paid a high price for speaking out against the oppression, racism, and discrimination they have experienced in the United States the past 400 years including: whippings, lynchings, house burnings, forced exile to other countries, FBI and CIA surveillance, police brutality and murder, discrimination and firing in the work place.
Having to suppress feelings connected to these horrific, catastrophically traumatic experiences leads to rage which can be medicated with the use of alcohol, heroin, marijuana and other drugs. The use of drugs as medicine increases rates of community violence, arrests, felonies and high overdose rates. While opioid overdose rates have decreased in many middle class to affluent white communities they still remain high in African American Communities (DPH Report. Massachusetts, 2023).
With its smooth harmonies, jazz music also has medicinal qualities, without the heavy consequences of drug use. Studies indicate that jazz music reduces stress and depression, improves sleep, elevates mood, lowers blood pressure and increases creativity (Benefits of Listening To Jazz: Riddle Village, 2021). Dr. Cornell West says, Jazz music increases hope and optimism!
While several famous Jazz performers died of complications caused by drug use including Billie Holliday whose addiction was triggered by childhood trauma and Charlie Parker, many of the greats entered recovery and continued to inspire the world with their music. A partial list of the greats in recovery include: Natalie Cole, Ivan Neville (and several other members of the Neville family), John Coltrane, Ray Charles and his daughter, singer Sheila Raye Charles.
My barber of 40 years the late Sidney Terrell was in long term recovery from heroin addiction. When I would ask him his pathway of recovery he would say, “Jazz music and working all day as a barber.” In the 40 years he cut my hair, I don't ever remember a time when you didn't hear the songs of the Jazz greats being played in the barber shop. I always remember leaving the barber shop feeling relaxed. April is Jazz Music Appreciation Month. I dedicate this post to my barber, Sidney Terrell.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Run-DMC sang, Music is the key to end all our woes, your ups your downs, your highs and your lows. Music has always been a part of the fight for African American liberation from blues through Hip Hop. During active addiction, many African Americans move away from music as their addiction progresses and they often embrace music again in recovery. If you are celebrating another day of recovery, join me in listening to some music today, including some smooth Jazz!