JAZZmagazine April 1961
Mahalia Jackson in France
Mahalia Jackson was an internationally acclaimed artist not only in the US but also in France. French jazz magazines played a decisive role in this, above all the renowned Jazz Magazine, which had a significant influence on her music and iconic status.
Jazz Magazine – A beacon of jazz culture
Founded in 1954 by music legends Eddie Barclay and Jacques Souplet, Jazz Magazine quickly established itself as one of the oldest and most important jazz publications worldwide. From the outset, the magazine was dedicated to comprehensive coverage of the jazz scene in France and beyond, with a particular focus on promoting African-American musicians and African-American culture. It accompanied and significantly influenced the development of jazz in France over the decades. In 2009, it merged with Jazzman magazine to form Jazz Magazine Jazzman, underscoring its continued relevance in the French music landscape.
Mahalia Jackson's presence in the French press
Mahalia Jackson's importance in France is evidenced not only by the availability of her albums on French labels, but also by her prominent mention in the jazz press. Jazz Magazine regularly honored her in reports, album reviews, and—most significantly—on its covers.
A retrospective exhibition entitled "JAZZ POWER!" held as part of the Rencontres d'Arles, which highlighted the first 20 years of Jazz Magazine (1954-1975), explicitly emphasized that the magazine promoted the representation of black jazz artists and the African American community in France. Mahalia Jackson was mentioned alongside greats such as Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk as a cover personality—a clear indication of her status as an icon whose significance transcended the boundaries of gospel music and was recognized by the broader jazz community.
© Jazz Magazine 1961
