In Jayne Cortez\u2019s poem, \u201cHow Long Has This Trane Been Gone,\u201d she writes about the preservation of black legends and of black history. She says that Blues and Jazz artists have been forgotten; that their work of creating music for and about black people has been overlooked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you remember their names<\/em><\/p>\n or do they have no names<\/em><\/p>\n no lives\u2014only products<\/em><\/p>\n to be used\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Cortez makes a claim for black music and its ability to allow black people to reclaim their history and a culture of their own. She believes that people have begun to forget the importance of the music of black artists who have died and that black people no longer appreciate the meaning of their artistry. There is an anxiety about forgetting, and therefore losing black culture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll you wanna do<\/em><\/p>\n is pat your foot<\/em><\/p>\n sip and drink & pretend<\/em><\/p>\n \u2026<\/em><\/p>\n and how many more Tranes will go<\/em><\/p>\n before you understand your life<\/em><\/p>\n John Coltrane who had the whole of<\/em><\/p>\n life wrapped up in B flat\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Cortez expresses an urgency for young people to understand that black music was created for their benefit, for their comfort and reassurance. Black music strives to convince black people that they are not without history or culture, and that they belong to a larger family of black souls. As Shange confirms in Lost in Language and Sound<\/i>, the souls of black people are a \u201ccollective whole,\u201d (70). Claiming and remembering black artists allows black people to feel that they belong to a shared \u00a0experience and community. Black music grants black people ownership of a culture and a history that they may pass on to their children.<\/p>\n \u201cMothers with sons<\/em><\/p>\n who need Coltrane<\/em><\/p>\n Need the warm arm of his music<\/em><\/p>\n like words from a Father<\/em><\/p>\n \u2026your son whose lonely<\/em><\/p>\n Who walks walks walks into nothing<\/em><\/p>\n no city no state no home no Nothing<\/em><\/p>\n how long<\/em><\/p>\n How long<\/em><\/p>\n Have black people been gone”<\/em><\/p>\n Black children\u2019s lives are at stake because they do not have a place anywhere. Black music has the ability to nurture these young people, and let them know that they belong to a history of legends. A history of great musicians, activists, writers, who wanted to create a black nation to which their children could belong. Cortez calls for black arts and black nationalism so that black children may feel the ownership of a culture and the protection of black national status. Black music prevents black people from going around without an identity to which they can belong, and\u00a0affirms their experiences. As Shange says, black music is\u00a0 \u201cmusic that must be heard, to pacify spirits, consecrate our souls,\u201d (LLS, 59).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Music<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Duke Ellington and John Coltrane: In a sentimental mood<\/p>\n