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New book explores jazz pioneer

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A new book from Dr Mike Brocken, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Studies, explores the story of Liverpool-born jazz musician Gordon Stretton.

Written in collaboration with independent scholar Jeff Daniels, a Hope MA graduate and great nephew of the subject of the book, the work is entitled: Gordon Stretton, Black British Transoceanic Jazz Pioneer.

Published by jazz publisher Lexington Press, the book reveals the life and career of a man known as a key influencer in the internationalisation of jazz in the transatlantic cultural scene in 1920s South America.

Dr Brocken said: “'It’s hoped that by virtue of this publication, Stretton's important role in the diasporan development of jazz across the globe finally comes to the attention of popular music historians around the world. Furthermore, it is also hoped that Liverpool's popular music historians will now acknowledge Gordon as a true pioneer.”


Published on 01/10/2018