ABSTRACT

This article will investigate the use of jazz music as: a form of a protest against the Portuguese Estado Novo regime and its colonial policies (1958-1961); and a symbol of freedom to configure new social realities in Portugal (1971-1974).2 In 1958 Salazar’s regime of Estado Novo, in response to international pressure, eased repression and promoted ‘free elections’ to give the illusion of a free country. In this context, students at the University of Lisbon founded the Clube Universitário de Jazz (CUJ; University Jazz Club). It was closed by the Portuguese police in 1961 after the first signs of the war of independence in Angola. In 1971, during the Caetano administration, Portugal hosted an international jazz festival for the first time. Although state sponsored, it became a space of political resistance for thousands, and led to the arrest of American bass player Charlie Haden. This article will analyse jazz discourses and practices in Portugal during these two important historical moments: 1958 and 1971.