Ari K. at orzah Ordine dei libri

Stairway to Paradise explores the significant impact of American Jewish entrepreneurs, musicians, and performers on popular music from the late nineteenth century to the mid-1960s. It examines the evolution of various musical genres, including blackface minstrelsy, ragtime, blues, jazz, Broadway musicals, folk, and rock 'n' roll, while highlighting the complex relationship these artists had with African-American culture. The book delves into the artistic and ideological exchanges between Jewish and African-American artists, tracing Jewish immigration and their subsequent entry into the entertainment industry. It emphasizes the intricate connection between music and politics, particularly through the Jewish-Black Alliance in the pursuit of social justice. The narrative reveals Jewish success in the music industry alongside the often problematic dynamics of their dominance, which led to accusations of exploiting African-American talent. Additionally, it addresses the fragile cooperation between black and Jewish communities and its role in cultural conflicts throughout the 20th century, contributing to the decline of the WASP elite's influence by the 1960s. This interdisciplinary work merges American history, musicology, and cultural studies, offering fresh perspectives on race, class, and ethnicity in the evolution of American music.