A lot of the female blues and jazz singers from 1920s US jazz were sleeping with each other, or their dancers, or other women on the scene. This was almost an open secret - these women had a little bit more power (both cultural and financial) to afford to be a little more open about their sexuality than most. Yet they still had to hide it to a certain extent, with public expressions of queer love and desire being confined to subtle- and not so subtle - song lyrics.
"Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. They must’ve been women, cause I don’t like no men.”
- Prove It On Me Blues by Ma Rainey (1928) (The song is rumoured to have been inspired by an incident in which the police raided an all-female party-turned-orgy that Rainey had been hosting.)
Despite its queer and black origins, for much of the 20th Century jazz music and culture was regarded by many as either in accessible, or 'elevator music' that was for white and straight upper-middle class tastes, and snooty high class venues - far removed from its exciting and queer roots.
The party will start out with a homage to the early 1920 blues and jazz queer sounds. Our guest Rebecca Vasmant will then take us on a journey through the history of Jazz (from spiritual to latin and afro-cuban jazz, jazz-inspired funk, to disco and house), with a focus on the artists that give attention to its origins as a music that was by and for marginalised communities.
Rebecca Vasmant
Who better to have as a guest for this party than Rebecca Vasmant - a DJ who has been advocating for jazz in dance music for well over a decade. Jazz is now more accessible and being accepted by wider audiences than before, with jazz centred club nights now a thing and international festival line-ups featuring jazz artists alongside big name techno DJs. This hasn't always ben the case. The current thriving jazz scene in Glasgow is in large part due to Rebecca's ongoing commitment to building a community around this genre and connecting it to scenes that are happening worldwide. We are very excited to have her as a guest for this one.
To find out more, check out Rebecca's WW Glasgow show on Worldwide FM and her record label, Rebecca's Records.
about The Party
Starting out as a radio show on Subcity Radio in 2018, Queer History have been exploring the co-evolution of the LGBTQI+ rights movement and club culture for the last 5 years. Currently Clyde Built Radio residents, their shows have been deep-diving into the key genres, time periods, locations and artists who have shaped dance music, club culture, and queer acceptance. The current Southside Queer Party series at the Rum Shack translates these informative shows into a live setting.
Doors: 9pm
Curfew: 1am
Advance: £8
Door: £tbc
Over 18 only