Angelika Beener: African American Female Jazz Blogger

Obviously, human beings—their ideas, concerns, idiosyncracies—cannot be reduced to such markers as race, gender, etc. However, so very few women, and so very few African American women, have written on jazz, that I want to note this important and balanced blog I just came across by Angelika Beener:

"ALTERNATE TAKES is a blog geared toward discussing and exploring jazz within a myriad of social contexts.  While this premise may not be new, the lens through which this subject is being explored is.  Jazz has been analyzed historically; examined, evaluated, critiqued, poked and prodded, predominately by White males.  Jazz is America’s freedom music, invented by African Americans.  The art form is part of the soundtrack to the African American experience and progression toward social justice in America.  This is not a journey which any sole group of people can document, at least not accurately.  And while I take no issue with any human being analyzing any art, it is disturbing and detrimental when Black art forms are being nearly exclusively examined by almost no one of color; and the pool of women writing about jazz, shallower yet.  This “tradition” results in a long list of damaging consequences.  Moreover, the generational disparity is another glaring factor.  If jazz music is to continue thriving, music journalists and other influencers within the music industry must simply engage and embrace young people.  Jazz is a living, breathing art form, and for it to stay afloat, its audience must be also.

ALTERNATE TAKES is an effort to broaden the perspective of the jazz discussion, through broadening the spectrum of its contributors, ultimately, in an effort to broaden the listenership, support and appreciation of the music.

ALTERNATE TAKES will cover current and classic subjects in the jazz world through interviews, reviews, and essays drawing from my experiences and observations.  And while the main theme is jazz music, my love for so many different styles of music will inform blog entries about subjects beyond jazz, so there’s something for almost everyone. But it’s time to document and discuss jazz music through a different lens; a larger scope, and invite musicians (and you!) to open up on these platforms and expand the discourse."