Populair Jazz - Black is Beautiful

Go to http://www.blackisbeautifulamsterdam.nl for more information and an online research lab.

In the 1930s the Netherlands became enthralled by jazz, particularly black jazz.

In de Groene Amsterdammer Kees van Bruggen wrote with great enthusiasm about a night at a jazz club:

Negro cavaliers,
starched collars, ironed trousers,
tirés,
beachcombing the walls of the room for white women
who came for the thrill and dont dare to say no but still want to,
who will eventually give it a try
with such a victorious dancer
marzipan Othello.
In sultry turns they cannot be kept track of-
groaning gleaming eyes
hot-blooded flagellants of rhythm -
moaning lust
and the drums, churning the blood -
O Desdemona!

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