What is the future of African jazz?
The future of African jazz is secure within Africa . But what about globally? Time will tell, but it appears probable that the key to the future of African jazz outside Africa will hinge on a radical reassessment of its past. The global jazz establishment (jazz lovers, musicians, promoters, academics, record company executives, etc.) remains largely ignorant about African jazz, but over time it is likely that the significance of African jazz, which has been obscure for so long, will become clearer. Arguably, the jazz establishment will eventually reinterpret the history of jazz in the twentieth century to give African jazz a much more prominent position. To this observer, it appears obvious that while the origins and early development of jazz were centered in the USA, the most exciting and profound developments in the second half of the century took place in Africa . Once this paradigm shift in thinking about jazz takes place, the interest in African jazz past and present will increase
