Lift Every Voice and Swing - by Vaughn A Booker

The book "Lift Every Voice and Swing" is a groundbreaking exploration of how jazz celebrities like Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and Mary Lou Williams became cultural icons of African American religion in the 20th century.

Booker's research reveals how these popular jazz figures inherited religious authority outside of traditional Afro-Protestant institutions, leveraging their fame to achieve social progress for other Black Americans.

Through a detailed examination of their recordings and concerts, Booker shows how these artists put forward a distinct religious culture, integral to the Black religious ethos.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, religion, or the role of music in shaping cultural identity.