Curious about Black history in Massachusetts? Learn about it with your local hobby historian, Jazz!
04/07/2025
Come join me for a fun, nerdy event this Wednesday, 4/9!
I’m staying up past my bedtime to talk about how the American Revolution inspired Boston’s Innovation Economy with Scott Kirsner and Bob Allison at the Museum of Science.
The event starts at 7pm. Free admission & open to all. I’d love to see some of your faces IRL.
https://www.mos.org/events/whats-revolutionary-today
07/11/2023
That’s a wrap on the first season of music by Black folks from Massachusetts…but the fun doesn’t end here!
On Spotify, there’s a playlist titled “Boston– Your My Home” by Edwin Sumpter that features many Black artists with Boston connections.
The playlist link is in the comments so you don’t have to get lost searching in Spotify 😁
Many songs by the artists I highlighted this past month are on the list, plus others like
💎Gang Starr
💎Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs
💎Dutch ReBelle
💎Jon Butcher Axis
💎Athene Wilson
💎Taj Mahal
💎Terri Lyne Carrington
Edwin Sumpter originated this list. He worked for WILD Radio and was an entertainment editor, and is currently a contributing writer to the Music Museum of New England and member/organizer with New Democracy Coalition. Thanks Edwin! 👏🏾
06/28/2023
Nothing like using a good ol’ cassette tape 😂! I got to tinker with this one at Tufts where I found out all sorts of fun details about Tracy Chapman’s college days/early music career…
💎 Picture this– Tracy worked on campus mowing lawns, but quickly switched to street performing because the lawn care gig was unbearable.
💎 Tracy started to feel confident that she had real chops to make it as a musician when she was offered an opportunity to perform at the Nameless Coffeehouse in Harvard Square. In a Boston Globe article, she said–
“Until I played at the Nameless, I wasn’t quite certain if my music was popular because it was good or because I had a lot of good friends…”
📸 Nameless Cafe Photo by John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
📁Tufts "On Campus Article" + cassette tape are from Tufts University Archive
06/22/2023
This *might* be my favorite song so far, so check it out:
https://youtube.com/shorts/yWDOfzkzsM8?feature=share
I stumbled on Space Cowboy as I was looking up what Maurice Starr was up to before New Edition.
He did some of his own music, and he also was part of the Jonzun Crew with his brothers (all super talented)– Michael Jonzun (lead) and Soni Jonzun.
The brothers are from Florida, and came up north to break into the music industry– and turned Boston into their home!
This electro funk song is part of the eaaaarly days of hip hop, and is so far “out there” that it still slaps imo 😂. What do y’all think?
06/13/2023
Up next in this Black music series, I got New Edition for y’all. The group formed in 1978 and is going strong 45 years later despite the ups and downs. New Edition deserves their flowers for their influence on R&B, for being the “blueprint” for boy bands in the 90s, and more. See where they grew up and got their start in this video https://youtube.com/shorts/S7fLL5Coqv8?feature=share
06/08/2023
Had to start this Black music series with the Disco Queen– Donna Summer!
Donna always proudly called Boston home! She was born in Dorchester, raised in Mission Hill, and found her musical calling in church.
See the sites in this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/8i52AXhNdGE?feature=share
06/07/2023
Time to enjoy some music this summer🌞🎵
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8q773CDPnY8
05/18/2023
A new space to remember Kittie Knox in Cambridge and tune up your bike has just opened!
Cambridge Crossing opened the Kittie Knox Community Cycle Center across from Lechmere station yesterday. I'm 99% sure the summer Kittie Knox ride will go by the new center too! https://www.massbike.org/kittie-knox-ride-23
05/05/2023
Good times sharing black gems at the last night 😀. Thanks to all who came out!!
04/26/2023
My very first visit to an archive! Can't wait to dig up some stories to share 📦🕵🏾♀️
04/10/2023
Save the date! I’m going to share some Black Gems with the Jukebox Project on May 4 at the Foundry in Cambridge. I hope to see you there! RSVP through this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jukebox-amplifier-series-jazz-dottin-tickets-586175405417
04/01/2023
I finally had a chance to visit the Embrace Monument in Boston, and wow, wow, WOW! 🤩
Add it to your Spring bucket list. For those who are not local– watch the video link to get a feel for it in the interim of your next visit! https://youtube.com/shorts/HLnTBZkFIGw?feature=share