Black Music In Europe - A Hidden History

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

1900-1910

20171219

The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history.

Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900.

Focusing on early commercial discs made in the recording studios of London, Paris and Berlin, we hear from dozens of different performers, including African American travelling entertainers, traditional African musicians, black British classical composers and more.

Episode 1 - 1900-1910

Clarke discovers a huge variety of black music recorded in Europe at the start of the 20th century, including very early examples of blues harmonica, scat singing and stride piano. The programme also includes some of the earliest African music ever recorded, from Senegalese war songs captured at the Paris World Fair in 1900 to the music of a troupe of Congolese pygmies who toured Britain in 1905-07.

Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era.

With readings by Paterson Joseph.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1910-1920

20171226

The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history.

Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900.

Episode 2 - 1910-1920

Clarke explores the music of black Europe at the time of the First World War. The sounds of what would become jazz start to emerge, including African American banjo bands who entertained London high society, and the military music of Harlem bandleader James Reese Europe which enthralled France. The programme also includes music by captured African Prisoners of War, recorded in camps across Germany.

Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era.

With readings by Paterson Joseph.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1920-1930

20180109

The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history.

Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900.

Episode 3 - 1920-1930

Clarke explores the sounds of Zonophone records, a pioneering label that recorded a huge amount of early African popular music. Many of these discs were made in London for export to West Africa, including several Nigerian hymns recorded in 1922 by Fela Kuti's grandfather. The programme also includes the sounds of African American jazz in 1920s Paris, especially the work of Josephine Baker, the world's first black superstar.

Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era.

With readings by Paterson Joseph.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1939-45

20190403

Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond.

Black music in Europe doesn't begin with the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury. There is a long, rich history preserved on shellac discs that shows how diverse sounds enthralled the continent long before 1948.

Throughout the series, we hear from a huge array of different performers - including classical composers, jazz stars, calypso legends and more - as well as commentators and historians, to get to the heart of early black music in Europe.

Episode 2 - 1939-45

Clarke looks at the music of black Europe at the time of the Second World War with recordings of Nazi propaganda jazz, underground bands in Hitler's Germany, black American trumpet stars in occupied Paris, and Caribbean swing bands playing through the Blitz in London. He also examines the work of Nigerian composer Fela Sowande and plays extracts of his wartime broadcast for the BBC.

Presented by Clarke Peters

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

After 1945

20190410

Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond.

Episode 3 - After 1945

In this final episode, Clarke delves into the sounds of 1950s London, from Ambrose Campbell and his West African Rhythm Brothers and steel pan master Sterling Betancourt MBE, to calypso star Lord Kitchener. He also uncovers the history of jazz in Paris after 1945 and tells how black American GIs found a new freedom in post-war Germany.

Presented by Clarke Peters

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

Before The War

20190327

Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond.

Episode 1 - Before the War

Clarke examines the variety of black music recorded in Europe from the late 1920s onwards - hot jazz in Weimar Berlin, calypso in Cardiff Bay and the sounds of the Beguine in Paris. He also investigates the Degenerate Music exhibition held in Dusseldorf in 1938, and hears how the rise of Hitler affected the lives of musicians like trumpeter Arthur Briggs.

Presented by Clarke Peters

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

Late 1950s And Early 1960s

20200407

Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters embarks on a third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s.

This was an era that saw countries such as Algeria, Jamaica, Cape Verde and Trinidad shake off European colonialism. These nations expressed their new found sense of freedom through songs, many recorded in European studios.

From the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, through the decolonisation years and beyond, this series hears from modern Black musicians, commentators and historians, to get to the heart of Black music in Europe.

Clarke explores the variety of Black music produced in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s - Congolese rumba recorded in Brussels, Algerian chaabi in Paris and the emergence of the Notting Hill Carnival in London. We also hear how North African music inspired a revolution in folk guitar.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe in a new series.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1960s

20200414

Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters continues his third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s.

This episode looks at the music of Black Europe at the height of the 1960s. We hear about Cameroonian guitar legend Francis Bebey in Paris, afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti in London and free jazz globetrotter Don Cherry in Stockholm. Clarke also tells the story of jazz group The Blue Notes, who fled apartheid South Africa for a new life in Europe.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1970s

20200421

In this final episode of the series, Clarke uncovers Surinamese music in the Netherlands, black flamenco in Spain and lover's rock in London. He also delves into the story of the Cape Verdean musicians who found a home in Europe in the 1970s and used synthesisers to express their new found sense of freedom.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1979-1991

20210811

20230821 (R4)

Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades.

From the collapse of the Eastern Bloc to the rise of multiculturalism, this was a time that saw old walls come tumbling down, while new forms of technology and new styles of music were all emerging at a rapid pace.

In this episode, Clarke explores a variety of different scenes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. We hear from Alex Wheatle on sound systems in London and Pat Thomas on Burger Highlife in Berlin. We also explore the music of Carte de Sejour in France and hear how singer Marie Daulne escaped conflict in Africa for a new life in Belgium.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters reveals stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1979-2021

20210825

20230904 (R4)

Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades.

In this final episode of the series, Clarke focuses on black music in France, from the era of Zouk and Kassav' through to the time of rap stars like MC Solaar. He also delves into the stories of black musicians in Italy today, from rapper Tommy Kuti to Afrobeat artist RayJeezy.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters concludes his stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

1989-2006

20210818

20230828 (R4)

Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades.

In this programme, Clarke looks at the music of black Europe in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall. We hear from Jeff Mills and Dimitri Hegemann on Detroit techno in Berlin, and electronic pioneers Shut Up and Dance on the rave era in London. Rita Maia and DJ Marfox talk about the Batida scene in Lisbon.

Produced by Tom Woolfenden

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Clarke Peters reveals stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day.

Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	01	1900-1910	20171219		The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history. Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900. Focusing on early commercial discs made in the recording studios of London, Paris and Berlin, we hear from dozens of different performers, including African American travelling entertainers, traditional African musicians, black British classical composers and more. Episode 1 - 1900-1910 Clarke discovers a huge variety of black music recorded in Europe at the start of the 20th century, including very early examples of blues harmonica, scat singing and stride piano. The programme also includes some of the earliest African music ever recorded, from Senegalese war songs captured at the Paris World Fair in 1900 to the music of a troupe of Congolese pygmies who toured Britain in 1905-07. Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era. With readings by Paterson Joseph. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4. The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
01	02	1910-1920	20171226		The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history. Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900. Focusing on early commercial discs made in the recording studios of London, Paris and Berlin, we hear from dozens of different performers, including African American travelling entertainers, traditional African musicians, black British classical composers and more. Episode 2 - 1910-1920 Clarke explores the music of black Europe at the time of the First World War. The sounds of what would become jazz start to emerge, including African American banjo bands who entertained London high society, and the military music of Harlem bandleader James Reese Europe which enthralled France. The programme also includes music by captured African Prisoners of War, recorded in camps across Germany. Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era. With readings by Paterson Joseph. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4. The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
01	03	1920-1930	20180109		The Wire's Clarke Peters draws on a rare collection of archive recordings to explore a forgotten musical history. Received wisdom has it that black popular music arrived in Europe with the Empire Windrush in 1948, but Clarke brings us black sounds recorded in Europe from as far back as 1900. Focusing on early commercial discs made in the recording studios of London, Paris and Berlin, we hear from dozens of different performers, including African American travelling entertainers, traditional African musicians, black British classical composers and more. Episode 3 - 1920-1930 Clarke explores the sounds of Zonophone records, a pioneering label that recorded a huge amount of early African popular music. Many of these discs were made in London for export to West Africa, including several Nigerian hymns recorded in 1922 by Fela Kuti's grandfather. The programme also includes the sounds of African American jazz in 1920s Paris, especially the work of Josephine Baker, the world's first black superstar. Much of the music in this series is drawn from Black Europe, a vast boxset issued by Bear Family Records and documenting the sounds of the era. With readings by Paterson Joseph. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4. The Wire's Clarke Peters reveals a surprising musical history from a century ago. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
02		1939-45	20190403		Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond. Black music in Europe doesn't begin with the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury. There is a long, rich history preserved on shellac discs that shows how diverse sounds enthralled the continent long before 1948. Throughout the series, we hear from a huge array of different performers - including classical composers, jazz stars, calypso legends and more - as well as commentators and historians, to get to the heart of early black music in Europe. Episode 2 - 1939-45 Clarke looks at the music of black Europe at the time of the Second World War with recordings of Nazi propaganda jazz, underground bands in Hitler's Germany, black American trumpet stars in occupied Paris, and Caribbean swing bands playing through the Blitz in London. He also examines the work of Nigerian composer Fela Sowande and plays extracts of his wartime broadcast for the BBC. Presented by Clarke Peters Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
02		After 1945	20190410		Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond. Black music in Europe doesn't begin with the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury. There is a long, rich history preserved on shellac discs that shows how diverse sounds enthralled the continent long before 1948. Throughout the series, we hear from a huge array of different performers - including classical composers, jazz stars, calypso legends and more - as well as commentators and historians, to get to the heart of early black music in Europe. Episode 3 - After 1945 In this final episode, Clarke delves into the sounds of 1950s London, from Ambrose Campbell and his West African Rhythm Brothers and steel pan master Sterling Betancourt MBE, to calypso star Lord Kitchener. He also uncovers the history of jazz in Paris after 1945 and tells how black American GIs found a new freedom in post-war Germany. Presented by Clarke Peters Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
02		Before The War	20190327		Drawing on rare archive recordings, Clarke Peters' new three-part series explores the hidden history of black music across Europe, from the late 1920s through the war years and beyond. Black music in Europe doesn't begin with the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury. There is a long, rich history preserved on shellac discs that shows how diverse sounds enthralled the continent long before 1948. Throughout the series, we hear from a huge array of different performers - including classical composers, jazz stars, calypso legends and more - as well as commentators and historians, to get to the heart of early black music in Europe. Episode 1 - Before the War Clarke examines the variety of black music recorded in Europe from the late 1920s onwards - hot jazz in Weimar Berlin, calypso in Cardiff Bay and the sounds of the Beguine in Paris. He also investigates the Degenerate Music exhibition held in Dusseldorf in 1938, and hears how the rise of Hitler affected the lives of musicians like trumpeter Arthur Briggs. Presented by Clarke Peters Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his surprising history of black music in Europe. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
03	01	Late 1950s And Early 1960s	20200407		Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters embarks on a third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s. This was an era that saw countries such as Algeria, Jamaica, Cape Verde and Trinidad shake off European colonialism. These nations expressed their new found sense of freedom through songs, many recorded in European studios. From the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, through the decolonisation years and beyond, this series hears from modern Black musicians, commentators and historians, to get to the heart of Black music in Europe. Clarke explores the variety of Black music produced in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s - Congolese rumba recorded in Brussels, Algerian chaabi in Paris and the emergence of the Notting Hill Carnival in London. We also hear how North African music inspired a revolution in folk guitar. Produced by Tom Woolfenden Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe in a new series. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
03	02	1960s	20200414		Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters continues his third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s. This was an era that saw countries such as Algeria, Jamaica, Cape Verde and Trinidad shake off European colonialism. These nations expressed their new found sense of freedom through songs, many recorded in European studios. From the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, through the decolonisation years and beyond, this series hears from modern Black musicians, commentators and historians, to get to the heart of Black music in Europe. This episode looks at the music of Black Europe at the height of the 1960s. We hear about Cameroonian guitar legend Francis Bebey in Paris, afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti in London and free jazz globetrotter Don Cherry in Stockholm. Clarke also tells the story of jazz group The Blue Notes, who fled apartheid South Africa for a new life in Europe. Produced by Tom Woolfenden Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
03	03	1970s	20200421		Drawing on rare recordings, Clarke Peters continues his third series revealing the unexplored history of Black music across Europe, from the aftermath of the Second World War through to the late 1970s. This was an era that saw countries such as Algeria, Jamaica, Cape Verde and Trinidad shake off European colonialism. These nations expressed their new found sense of freedom through songs, many recorded in European studios. From the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, through the decolonisation years and beyond, this series hears from modern Black musicians, commentators and historians, to get to the heart of Black music in Europe. In this final episode of the series, Clarke uncovers Surinamese music in the Netherlands, black flamenco in Spain and lover's rock in London. He also delves into the story of the Cape Verdean musicians who found a home in Europe in the 1970s and used synthesisers to express their new found sense of freedom. Produced by Tom Woolfenden Executive Producer: Miranda Hinkley A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters continues his compelling history of Black music in Europe. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
04		1979-1991	20210811	20230821 (R4)	Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades. From the collapse of the Eastern Bloc to the rise of multiculturalism, this was a time that saw old walls come tumbling down, while new forms of technology and new styles of music were all emerging at a rapid pace. In this episode, Clarke explores a variety of different scenes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. We hear from Alex Wheatle on sound systems in London and Pat Thomas on Burger Highlife in Berlin. We also explore the music of Carte de Sejour in France and hear how singer Marie Daulne escaped conflict in Africa for a new life in Belgium. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters reveals stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
04		1979-2021	20210825	20230904 (R4)	Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades. From the collapse of the Eastern Bloc to the rise of multiculturalism, this was a time that saw old walls come tumbling down, while new forms of technology and new styles of music were all emerging at a rapid pace. In this final episode of the series, Clarke focuses on black music in France, from the era of Zouk and Kassav' through to the time of rap stars like MC Solaar. He also delves into the stories of black musicians in Italy today, from rapper Tommy Kuti to Afrobeat artist RayJeezy. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters concludes his stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.
04		1989-2006	20210818	20230828 (R4)	Clarke Peters' concluding three-part series reveals stories from the history of black music in Europe over the last four decades. From the collapse of the Eastern Bloc to the rise of multiculturalism, this was a time that saw old walls come tumbling down, while new forms of technology and new styles of music were all emerging at a rapid pace. In this programme, Clarke looks at the music of black Europe in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall. We hear from Jeff Mills and Dimitri Hegemann on Detroit techno in Berlin, and electronic pioneers Shut Up and Dance on the rave era in London. Rita Maia and DJ Marfox talk about the Batida scene in Lisbon. Produced by Tom Woolfenden A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Clarke Peters reveals stories of black music from the late 1970s to the present day. Clarke Peters uncovers the stories of black musicians in Europe.