In this episode of Everything’s Political, Junius Williams speaks with Rutha Mae Harris, an original member of the SNCC Freedom Singers, speaks about the political power of music during the Civil Rights Movement, freedom songs, Albany Movement, and protest music are at the heart of this episode of Everything’s Political.

Rutha Mae shares how freedom songs were born from gospel, spirituals, and everyday Black musical traditions and how those songs strengthened people in marches, churches, and jail cells. She reflects on growing up in segregated Albany, Georgia, joining the movement, singing at mass meetings, and why she believes the movement could not have happened without music.

This episode is a moving look at Black history, movement-building, protest music, voting rights, and the role of song in political struggle.

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CREDITS:
Everything’s Political Podcast is sponsored by the Center for Education and Juvenile Justice and supported by the Terrell Foundation, PSEG Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and listeners like you.
Produced by Junius Williams and Dreamplay Media.

Celebrate Black History Month with a powerful fireside conversation on the Everything’s Political Podcast. Host Junius Williams sits down with world-renowned jazz artists and educators Jason Moran (pianist, MacArthur Fellow) and Stefon Harris (vibraphonist, Grammy-nominated artist) at Express Newark, part of Rutgers University–Newark, in Newark, NJ.

This episode highlights the cultural legacy of Black music and the deep connections between the Black church, the blues, and jazz. Moran shares how hearing Thelonious Monk at age 13 changed his relationship to music and practice. Harris connects the blues to church testimony and storytelling, showing how musicians use “in-between notes,” rhythm, and harmony to make instruments sound human.

You’ll also get clear, listener-friendly explanations of core music concepts—including the 12-bar blues form, the 1–4–5 chord progression, and the dominant 7 chord—with live demonstrations that bring the lesson to life. Plus, Harris introduces Harmony Cloud, an app designed for ear training, improvisation practice, and building confidence for musicians learning jazz and blues.

Perfect for fans of jazz podcasts, blues history, music education, Black culture, and anyone who wants to understand how music builds discipline, community, and freedom.

Keywords naturally included: Black History Month, Black music, jazz, blues, Thelonious Monk, Newark NJ, Rutgers Newark, Express Newark, ear training, improvisation, dominant seventh, 12-bar blues, 1-4-5 progression, Jason Moran, Stefon Harris, Junius Williams, Everything’s Political Podcast.

Talking with Christine Croasdaile about the power of music, the artists duty in society and politics!