Spiritual Jazz 19 - West Coast USA Parts 1 and 2: 50s - 80s

A new set exploring the sound, influence and expression of underground jazz that grew across California and neighbouring states in the later 20th century.

The West Coast is often linked with the cool jazz boom of the 1950s, but modal, Afro-centric and spiritual currents were thriving there too. In the post-war years, Los Angeles’ Central Avenue stood second only to Manhattan as one of America’s great jazz districts.

As California became a magnet for the 1960s counter-culture, jazz changed with it. This set looks at the impact of the Black Panthers, the rise of New Age spiritual practices and religions, and independent labels including Arhoolie, Theresa and Nimbus. Together, they helped shape the evolution of spiritual jazz on the West Coast.