Hearts and Minds: Jazz as a Universal Language of Diplomacy during the Cold War Panel Discussion

February 6, 2023 ​​​​​

Meridian hosted a panel discussion in New Orleans to delve into the surprising role jazz has played in the history of U.S. cultural diplomacy. At the height of the Cold War, jazz musicians traveled abroad to strengthen ties and rebuild relationships that had previously been strained. Supported by the U.S. government, jazz artists were able to harness a uniquely American art form to engage with international audiences through culture. This panel featured a discussion on the origin and continued importance jazz plays in U.S. cultural diplomacy. Partnering with the New Orleans Jazz Museum, this panel was moderated by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, veteran musician, park ranger, actor, and former NFL player. Speakers included Dr. Michael White, jazz clarinetist, bandleader, composer, jazz historian and musical educator; Dr. Joel Dinerstein, Professor of English at Tulane University; and Gwen Thompkins, New Orleans-born journalist, writer and first-year PhD student in history at Tulane University.