Duke Ellington had this to say about jazz and freedom: “Put it this way: Jazz is a good barometer of freedom… In its beginnings, the United States of America spawned certain ideals of freedom and independence through which, eventually, jazz was evolved, and the music is so free that many people say it is the only unhampered, unhindered expression of complete freedom yet produced in this country.” There is independent evidence for the truth of Ellington’s remarks, and it is to be found in how the Soviet Union treated jazz and jazz musicians. Here is a 1983 book review of … Continue reading Jazz and Freedom