How Did Joe Jordan Influence African American Culture

Demolished in 1987 to create room for new architecture, the Pekin Theater once housed orchestras contributing to the modernization of African American jazz music. The theater was a symbol of African American advancements, granting Joe Jordan, along with many other musicians, the opportunity to play at one of the only theaters that allowed African American audiences. Born in Cincinnati, but growing up in St. Louis, Joe Jordan was exposed to European styles which he incorporated with the culture he experienced growing up. From a young age, Jordan quickly picked up a gift for music, though he was not musically educated early on. Prior to the construction of the Pekin Theater, Jordan wrote minstrel songs from which he was exposed to through his

Highlighted in the show “Deep Harlem”, Jordan included scenes that ranged from “ancient Abyssinia to the deserts and jungles of Africa to the slave ship… and Harlem” (“From Barrelhouse to Broadway”). Correspondingly, Jordan also took part in composing music for the play “Red Moon” which “sought to break these trends by casting black performers in realistic, meaningful roles as opposed to the farcical and outright demeaning roles they were used to playing at the time” (“The Red Moon: Joe Jordan & the Arrival of the Jazz Band”). Prior, there were very few shows where African Americans would be accepted to play the role of the opposite race. Defying these societal standards brought an array of attention to Jordan’s work and encouraged progression against segregation. Furthermore, Jordan was the first African American to serve in Washington state general’s office, occurring later on in his musical career (Edwards). On top of encouraging a revolt against segregation through his music and shows, Jordan also inspired the black community to start their own businesses. Constructing the J. Jordan Building Brozeville, Jordan created Chicago’s first major commercial building built by an African American developer (Publisher born). Incorporating his musical personality with his work, Jordan was able to collect enough money from one of his popular productions, “Dear

His path was not an easy one, as he came from a time where African Americans were disrespected, discriminated against, and victims of segregation. His style, influenced by his time in different cities as a child, helped create a new subgenre of ragtime and push African American ragtime music to many people both Black and white. A man with a diverse discography, he was successful in the theater industry as well, playing a key role in the Pekin Theatre, which was one of the most influential and successful Black theaters throughout the entire country. Joe Jordan persevered through racism, segregation, and ill-treatment throughout his whole life, however he overcame all of these obstacles to become one of the fathers of the first mainstream genre dominated by African Americans. Outside of music, he gave back to the community everywhere he went, donating musical works and productions as well as pianos or financial sums. Even with a life filled with negative experiences with racism and segregation, he still served the United States when called upon and even played for the still segregated section of the US Army. By his retirement from the music and theater industry, he had written well over 500 songs and produced a plethora of plays, as well as earning enough money to make him one of the most wealthy Blacks