JAZZ IN SURINAME

Abstract

There was an enormous influx of jazz in Suriname itself, especially in the decades after World War II. Jazz and swing got their niche alongside other more traditional native music and European classical and ‘light’ entertainment music. Many Surinamers were inspired by jazz from the United States. A few of them founded their own jazz bands. Jazz records came into the country via the American soldiers who were stationed in Suriname during World War II “to protect the bauxite industry.” Musicians in Paramaribo first heard and saw the North American orchestras in the movie houses.