Before Seattle Rocked: A City and Its Music - Softcover

Armbruster, Kurt E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0295991135 ISBN 13: 9780295991139

Publisher: University of Washington Press, 2011

Synopsis

Seattle is a music town with rich, deep roots that have influenced the culture and identity of its civic life for decades. In a society that appreciates music but is ambivalent toward the profession of making it, the importance and contribution of Seattle's musicians have been routinely overlooked in historical accounts of the city. Kurt Armbruster fills that gap in this far-reaching and entertaining panorama of Seattle music from the 1890s to the 1960s, "before Seattle rocked." For this once-remote city, music forged links as real as those created by railroads and steamships. Classical music embodied the middle-class aspirations for gentility and cosmopolitan stature; jazz and blues gave Seattle's small African American community a vehicle for affirmation and economic advancement; ethnic music helped immigrants adjust to a new home; songs and drumming kept the memories of the Duwamish alive in a changing world. Before Seattle Rocked is enlivened by personal anecdotes and memories from many of Seattle's most beloved musicians and is enriched by historic photos of the changing music scene. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyo22tC6PkQ&feature=channel_video_title Before Seattle Rocked was made possible in part by a grant from 4Culture's Heritage Program.

About this title

About the Author

Kurt E. Armbruster is a professional bassist and independent historian in Seattle. He is author of five books, including Before Seattle RockedA City and Its Music (University of Washington Press, 2011).

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Washington Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0295991135
• ISBN 13: 9780295991139
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384