Jazz, blues and bluegrass are unique to American musical history, but their roots reach back centuries to Western Africa.
Pascal Bokar is the director of the University of San Francisco Jazz Band and a professor there who teaches jazz history, African music and sociology.
He and his Afro Blue Grazz Band have a series of concerts in the Valley which began last Sunday and they will also include a discussion about the influence of West Africa on the evolution of American culture and musical traditions as part of the Jazz Culture & Social Justice Project.
KJZZ’s Tom Maxedon caught up with him in advance of the performances. This is a longer version of the discussion that aired on "The Show."
Pascal Bokar Afro Blue Grazz Band, “From Africa To The Delta” Upcoming Valley Performances:
- Monday, Aug. 9, The Nash, Phoenix, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 11, Ottawa University, Surprise, 7 p.m.
