The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 heralded the White Australia Policy. This culture of whiteness would inevitably affect music in Australia. In this episode we look at the 1928 tour by Sonny Clay’s Colored Idea, the first African-American jazz band to tour Australia. We also look at ways the White Australia Policy continued to affect music even after the policy was dismantled.

Playlist

Louis Armstrong: Basin Street Blues

Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Jambled Blues

Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Plantation Blues

Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Devil’s Serenade

Leon Rene’s Orchestra: I’m An African

Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Gang O’Blues

The Caretaker: Weeping Ballroom

Sonny Clay’s Plantation Orchestra: Front Room Blues

Louis Jordan: Caledonia

Roy Brown: Good Rockin’ Tonight

Georgia Lee: Yarra River Blues

Ella Fitzgerald: Come To My House

Dizzy Gillespie: I Know That You Know

Chuck Berry: Back In The USA

Miles Davis: Right Off

Last Poets: On The Subway

Talking Heads: Listening Wind

The Herd: 77%