Reconfiguring Rhythms: Jazz, Queerness, and Subversion of the Norm

Abstract

As a queer student, my decision to create a graphic work exploring the intersections of jazz and queer theory was inspired by Salim Washington’s assertion that jazz is an inherently avant-garde and perpetually evolving medium, as well as class discussions on the genre’s origins in challenging dominant ideologies. These ideas align closely with my understanding of queer theory, particularly the ways in which certain cultural elements, due to their inherent resistance to normative structures, can be strongly associated with queer symbolism without explicit connections to the LGBTQ+ community. Recognizing that jazz has been historically male- dominated, I sought to explore how other communities might have employed the genre and the social practice of jazz as a tool of subversion. I felt that using a combination of original artwork and text would most effectively convey the intricacies of queer artistic expression, given that artists like Sun Ra utilized visuals, theatricality, and camp alongside their music to convey their message, and that queer culture often emphasizes aesthetics that defy convention.