"Max Roach," Not 'Jazz' Series, no. 2 - Original Art - Amber Janay Cooper
Amber Janay Cooper
"Max Roach," Not 'Jazz' Series, no. 2
9x12in
print of paper collage
***This piece is part of Free Music: The Illusion of Liberation, on view at Eaton House. Artwork will remain in the exhibition space until the deinstall of the show and will be available for pickup afterward.
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About the Artwork
In the 1960s musicians like percussionist Max Roach, trumpeter John Coltrane and classical musician Nina Simone eschewed the term "jazz" as an inaccurate term that flattened their craft, belied the art form's roots in Black American life, and likely did not originate among the pioneering musicians. John Coltrane said "to me, the word does not exist." Nina Simone called it "Black classical music." Max Roach once called 'jazz' a "nickname" and said "it's not the proper term for African American instrumental music." As an activist Max Roach used his instrument to challenge discrimination and assert Black heritage and creative mastery.
Artist Bio
Amber Janay Cooper (she/they) is a DC-based self-taught collage artist who channels surreal Blackness-centered visions new worlds fed by a healthy collection of vintage African American magazines from the 1960s and 70s to create her work. In 2025, Amber self-published their first collection of collage works, Interophilia. Originally from Georgia, Amber also lived for some years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Amber Janay Cooper
"Max Roach," Not 'Jazz' Series, no. 2
9x12in
print of paper collage
***This piece is part of Free Music: The Illusion of Liberation, on view at Eaton House. Artwork will remain in the exhibition space until the deinstall of the show and will be available for pickup afterward.
--
About the Artwork
In the 1960s musicians like percussionist Max Roach, trumpeter John Coltrane and classical musician Nina Simone eschewed the term "jazz" as an inaccurate term that flattened their craft, belied the art form's roots in Black American life, and likely did not originate among the pioneering musicians. John Coltrane said "to me, the word does not exist." Nina Simone called it "Black classical music." Max Roach once called 'jazz' a "nickname" and said "it's not the proper term for African American instrumental music." As an activist Max Roach used his instrument to challenge discrimination and assert Black heritage and creative mastery.
Artist Bio
Amber Janay Cooper (she/they) is a DC-based self-taught collage artist who channels surreal Blackness-centered visions new worlds fed by a healthy collection of vintage African American magazines from the 1960s and 70s to create her work. In 2025, Amber self-published their first collection of collage works, Interophilia. Originally from Georgia, Amber also lived for some years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.