Sign-In
Cart
Soundtrack to the Revolution: Free Jazz and Leftist Nationalism in Quebec 1967-1975
Paperback
Currently unavailable to order
Please enter your email and a message will be sent to you when this product becomes available on our website.
ISBN13: 9781550656855
Publisher: Vehicule Press
Published: Sep 4 2025
Pages: 200
Weight: 0.40
Height: 0.70 Width: 5.10 Depth: 7.40
Language: English
I am a revolutionary first, a musician second. Instead of a machine gun, I have a trumpet, explained Yves Charbonneau, co-founder of the Montreal-based group Jazz Libre, in May of 1969.
Upbeat excitement resonated throughout Montreal and across the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec in the wake of the Quiet Revolution and in the immediate aftermath of Expo 67, the highlight of Canada's Centennial celebrations. Yet at the time, the city was also a hub of discordant politics, many of which were about the promises of various types of leftism and their intersection with nationalism. Cultural workers-- individuals, groups, and their networks-- participated actively in these debates, prompting new forms of communication, participation, and organization to catalyze all kinds of evocative solidarities.
In telling the story of Jazz Libre, Soundtrack to the Revolution reveals the meaningful role that the art of spontaneity played in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. It traces the path taken by Jazz Libre-- a collective of improvisers who embraced free jazz to help legitimize the efforts of the Quebec left to situate its nationalist aspirations within global anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist movements. Charbonneau and his bandmates strongly believed that collective improvisation could inspire resistance and hope by fostering communication, collaboration, initiative, trust, and self-criticism-- but also a disposition to take risks as well as a willingness to think creatively and make decisions on the spur of the moment. Their many initiatives (concert forums aimed at students and workers, a self-governing arts summer camp in Val-David, north of Montreal, a socialist commune in the Eastern Townships as well as an experimental cultural centre in Old Montreal) were all oriented toward the convergence of protest movements shaking Quebec. Jazz Libre's fate was, as a result, irreversibly tied to the leftist independence movement-- a hodgepodge of groups in search of possible futures during these pivotal decades.
Also in
Jazz
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and the Birth of Black Power
Miller, W. Jason
Hardcover
3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool
Kaplan, James
Paperback
Christmas with Nat King Cole: A Legacy of Merry Music and Holiday Memories
McGevna, Allison
Nat King Cole Estate
Hardcover
Jazz, TX: A Love Letter to Live Music, Community, and the Little Club That Could
Watkins, Doc
Hardcover
Jazz: Best of the Apollo, Village Vanguard, and Riverside Sessions
Schapiro, Steve
Scheinin, Richard
Hardcover
R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz & Country: Portraits of the Pioneers Who Shaped American Music [With CD Audio]
Crumb, R.
Hardcover
The Majesty of Chicago Jazz: Twenty-Five Visionaries Who Define the City's Sound
Reich, Howard
Hardcover
Leave It for the Children: A Visual History of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra
Kae, Darol Olu
Lamontagne, Samuel
Hardcover
The Jazz Barn: Music Inn, the Berkshires, and the Place of Jazz in American Life
Gennari, John
Hardcover
The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America
Tye, Larry
Hardcover
Triad Comping For Modern Guitar: Unlock The Fretboard With Triads To Create Sophisticated, Modern Rhythm Guitar Parts
Alexander, Joseph
Noy, Oz
Pettingale, Tim
Paperback
The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America
Tye, Larry
Paperback
Advanced Jazz-Fusion Guitar Techniques: Discover the Art of Modern Jazz-Fusion Soloing using Lines, Phrasing and Harmonic Concepts
Pettingale, Tim
Alexander, Joseph
Meader, Josh
Paperback
How to Go Mad Without Losing Your Mind: Madness and Black Radical Creativity
Bruce, La Marr Jurelle
Paperback
Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music
Watson, Philip
Hardcover
After The Final Curtain Call: The Road Was Long And Hard, But I Finally Made It Home
Hicks, Alan
Hardcover
Triad Soloing For Modern Guitar: Master Triad Shapes, Creative Patterns & Triad Pairs for Articulate, Melodic Guitar Soloing
Noy, Oz
Pettingale, Tim
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Playing Solo Jazz Piano: A New Approach for Creative Pianists (2nd Edition)
Siskind, Jeremy
Paperback
Guitar: Guitar Music Book For Beginners, Guide How To Play Guitar Within 24 Hours
Mahalo, Tom
Paperback
The Penguin Jazz Guide: The History of the Music in the 1,001 Best Albums
Cook, Richard
Morton, Brian
Paperback
Whistle Stop: Kenny Dorham, Jazz, and the Journey of a Texas Family
Pallitto, Robert M.
Melendez, John A.
Paperback
Beginner Gypsy Jazz Guitar: Master the Essential Skills of Gypsy Jazz Guitar Rhythm & Soloing
Nolan, Robin
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Jazz, TX: A Love Letter to Live Music, Community, and the Little Club That Could
Watkins, Doc
Paperback
Have Horn, Will Travel: The Life and Music of Herman "Junior" Cook Volume 21
Nero, Courtney M.
Hardcover
100 Modern Jazz Licks For Piano: Learn 100 Modern Jazz Piano Licks In The Style of 10 Legendary Players
Hayward, Nathan
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Living Space: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Free Jazz, from Analog to Digital
Veal, Michael E.
Paperback
Jazz Soloing Basics for Guitar: A step-by-step method for learning jazz phrasing with chromaticism and swing-feel lines
Tagliarino, Barrett
Paperback
Melodic Jazz Guitar Chord Phrasing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Advanced Jazz Guitar Chord Phrases from Melodic Lines
Whitfield, Mark
Paperback
100 Gypsy Jazz Guitar Licks: Learn Gypsy Jazz Guitar Soloing Technique with 100 Authentic Licks
Alexander, Joseph
Harris, Remi
Pettingale, Tim
Paperback
Black Music, White Business: Illuminating the History and Political Economy of Jazz
Kofsky, Frank
Paperback
Hating Jazz: A History of Its Disparagement, Mockery, and Other Forms of Abuse
Berish, Andrew S.
Paperback
Guitar: Guitar Lessons For Beginners, Simple Guide Through Easy Techniques, How T
Mahalo, Tom
Paperback
Gypsy Jazz Guitar Soloing Etudes - Volume One: Learn Guitar Soloing Strategies & Techniques For 8 Essential Gypsy Jazz Standards
Harris, Remi
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Martin Taylor: A Step-by-Step Pathway to Turn Traditional Blues Playing Into Sophisticated Jazz Guitar
Taylor, Martin
Alexander, Joseph
Pettingale, Tim
Paperback
John Patitucci Walking Bass: How to Play Walking Basslines On Any Chord Sequence - For Upright & Electric Bass
Alexander, Joseph
Patitucci, John
Pettingale, Tim
Paperback
Gypsy Jazz Guitar Soloing Etudes - Volume Two: Learn Guitar Soloing Strategies & Techniques For 6 Essential Gypsy Jazz Standards
Pettingale, Tim
Alexander, Joseph
Harris, Remi
Paperback
Miles & Me: Miles Davis, the Man, the Musician, and His Friendship with the Journalist and Poet Quincy Troupe
Troupe, Quincy
Paperback
101 Walking Jazz Bass Lines: Learn to Build & Play Walking Basslines on Every Essential Jazz Chord Sequence
Cox, Johnny
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Jazz-Rock Fusion Guitar Soloing: Harness the Power of Implied Chord Changes to Master Modern Fusion Lead Guitar
Pettingale, Tim
Herington, Jon
Alexander, Joseph
Paperback
Jazz Religion, the Second Line, and Black New Orleans, New Edition: After Hurricane Katrina
Turner, Richard Brent
Paperback
Beginner Jazz Soloing for Flute: The beginner's guide to jazz improvisation for flute & concert pitch instruments
Birch, Buster
Paperback