Dangerous Rhythms

Jazz and the Underworld

By: T. J. English

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

From T. J. English, the New York Times bestselling author of Havana Nocturne, comes the epic, scintillating narrative of the interconnected worlds of jazz and organized crime in 20th century America.

"[A] brilliant and courageous book." —Dr. Cornel West

Dangerous Rhythms tells the symbiotic story of jazz and the underworld: a relationship fostered in some of 20th century America’s most notorious vice districts. For the first half of the century mobsters and musicians enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership. By offering artists like Louis Armstrong, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and Ella Fitzgerald a stage, the mob, including major players Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, and Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, provided opportunities that would not otherwise have existed.

Even so, at the heart of this relationship was a festering racial inequity. The musicians were mostly African American, and the clubs and means of production were owned by white men. It was a glorified plantation system that, over time, would find itself out of tune with an emerging Civil Rights movement. Some artists, including Louis Armstrong, believed they were safer and more likely to be paid fairly if they worked in “protected” joints. Others believed that playing in venues outside mob rule would make it easier to have control over their careers.

Through English’s voluminous research and keen narrative skills, Dangerous Rhythms reveals this deeply fascinating slice of American history in all its sordid glory.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 T. J. English (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

The level of research

Loved the details of the clubs and circles of performers. Comprehensive review of artists. The reader’s voice was very soothing

Loved the Music and learned of Mob connectuo.

A piece of history I never knew.
Excellent! Read by a guy whose voice was like the speak easie with smoke and booze. Character.

Voice and history you expect when you want to learn about the history of jazz

The narrator does a great job on this title and book is very well written spanning the history of such a great and sad history of music. I will be coming back to this over the years.

Essential Reading

This book is essential reading if you want to know the history of jazz. English is a master storyteller.

One of the most amazing Jazz Histories ever.

T.J. English is a Master of creating an atmosphere and characters that draw the Reader in while recounting events that give context to the History he writes.

His Havana Nocturne is such a book, painting a portrait of the takeover of Cuba by Organized Crime Families. Dangerous Rhythms is another masterpiece, extending the story to the symbiotic relationship between Jazz Music and the Mob. The Author does an amazing job of describing the mutual dependence of Jazz on the forces of Capitalism, Politics, Culture and Entertainment. Their fortunes rise and fall together and we can hear the Music grow and develop as it moves from New Orleans to Kansas City, Chicago, New York and L.A. We follow the stories of Satchmo, Bird, Ella, Miles and others as they play for and are played by Ruthless Gangsters interested in their next buck, but also loving the artistry of their genius vassals.

It’s an incredible tale of the intersection of Racism, Greed, Violence and the struggle of Black Artists to build a Life creating and playing the Music they love. English knows and loves Jazz and the Masters who make it. Their tunes and personalities leap off the page. The Gangsters and Clubs who make their gigs possible are described in fine detail as well.

As a matter of fact, like in all well-written History, this book is deeply and thoroughly researched, yet extremely readable. The evolution of the Jazz styles is addressed, the Venues described, and the Crooked Pols, Cops and the Social Conditions of the Times come alive without bogging down in the weeds.

All in all, Dangerous Rhythms is one of the finest Jazz Histories I have ever read and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the roots of the powerful influence Jazz has had on popular Culture and the American Century that gave it Life. Five Stars. *****

Narrator mispronounces lots of words

He also gets the phrasing wrong from time to time. Doesn’t anybody review these things? If so don’t they know or don’t they care?

Keep your YouTube handy

What a fascinating book. I learned so much more about an art form I thought I knew something about. The book was thorough in its scope and led to a deer appreciation of the what was truly going on in the American underground during the 20th century, an underground that fostered the music of the century. I kept my YouTube handy and when a song was mentioned I stopped and listened to the music. What a great multimedia experience this book provided.

"A 'Jam' In Time..."

Absolutely the best! From the gifted narrator to the very last; an intimate history of a well worn past! The whole thing comes alive and dances to a beat only it knew!!! This one will make it into my "Much Repeated" stack!!! TY JD Jackson for lending your most fitting voice to this! T.J. English has a masterpiece; and YOU are the 'instrument' that hits EVERY note! THIS is a read to enjoy MANY times.
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