A History of Jazz Podcast 1918: Wilbur Sweatman
May 1, 2017
Explore the overlooked genius of Wilbur Sweatman, a pioneer of early jazz and vaudeville. Discover his groundbreaking mixed-race recordings and innovative performances, including his unique three-clarinet gimmick. Delve into his early life, from childhood in Brunswick to leading orchestras in St. Louis. Hear about his struggle for recognition amid segregation and the dynamics of early recording sessions. The podcast highlights Sweatman's significant, yet often uncelebrated, contributions to the 1918 jazz scene.
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Jazz Had Multiple Birthplaces
- Early jazz wasn't limited to New Orleans and developed in multiple places across the U.S..
- Arik Devins urges listeners to reject a single-origin narrative to better recognize overlooked pioneers like Wilbur Sweatman.
Early Recordings Give A Limited Picture
- Acoustic recording before 1925 captured only a narrow approximation of artists' real sounds.
- Devins explains we must combine recordings, contemporary descriptions, and instrumentation knowledge to imagine the original performances.
Labels Controlled Both Sound And Royalties
- Record companies tightly controlled early recordings and often exploited African-American artists.
- Devins highlights practices like forcing artists to sell publishing rights so labels profited twice.