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Prophetics in the Key of Allah: Towards an Understanding of Islam in Jazz

2010; Routledge; Volume: 4; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/17494060.2010.506031

1749-4079

Christopher W. Chase,

Hispanic-African Historical Relations

Abstract In recent years, growing attention has been paid to the musical components of the transnational Africana diaspora in relationship to political consciousness. Often lost or misunderstood is the religious and prophetic dimension outside of Christianity that is nonetheless an integral part of this movement. This essay attempts to provide an initial set of discursive markers by which to analyze the role Islam has played in jazz music, both as a theological and political force. This article assesses biographical statements, musicological expressions, accompanying cover artwork, and liner notes to examine the role that Islam has played in the music of such artists as Abdullah Ibrahim, Art Blakey, Yusuf Lateef, John Coltrane, Robert Stewart, and McCoy Tyner. I suggest several different trajectories for understanding Islamic expression by these musicians. Alongside the existing relevant literature, I call for understanding Islam on its own terms as a prophetic religious force and an integral part of jazz expression.