The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 heralded the White Australia Policy. This culture of whiteness would inevitably affect music in Australia. In this episode we look at the 1928 tour by Sonny Clay’s Colored Idea, the first African-American jazz band to tour Australia. We also look at ways the White Australia Policy continued to affect music even after the policy was dismantled.



Playlist



Louis Armstrong: Basin Street Blues




Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra: Jambled Blues




Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra: Plantation Blues




Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra: Devil's Serenade




Leon Rene's Orchestra: I'm An African




Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra: Gang O'Blues







The Caretaker: Weeping Ballroom




Sonny Clay's Plantation Orchestra: Front Room Blues




Louis Jordan: Caledonia




Roy Brown: Good Rockin' Tonight




Georgia Lee: Yarra River Blues




Ella Fitzgerald: Come To My House




Dizzy Gillespie: I Know That You Know




Chuck Berry: Back In The USA




Miles Davis: Right Off




Last Poets: On The Subway




Talking Heads: Listening Wind




The Herd: 77%

Ep 1, Part 2: Deirdre O’Connell on White Australia Blues

A series focussing on the intersection between music and history, The Intersection traces the evolution of ideas, social norms and cultural forms in Australia – and the characters and events behind them.

Be prepared for an immersive journey into the dramatic moments that shaped our lives and tastes today, and the role that music, musicians, promoters, the media and audiences played within it.

An audio documentary, produced by Two Star Studios, sits at the heart of each weekly episode, followed by interviews with academics in the field.

As you listen, you’ll be captivated by music from different eras and genres – from 100 years ago until today – and will hear it in ways you’ve never quite heard it before.

Email: theintersection@eastsidefm.org