Hakka Blues and Jazz: The Inspiration of Black Music in the Hakka Taiwanese Musical Revitalization Movement in Postdictatorial Taiwan

This article discusses the influence of African American blues and jazz on the Hakka Taiwanese musical revitalization movement since the late 1990s. Case studies examine the discourse and materialization of two types of musical fusion, namely Hakka blues and Hakka jazz, by Sanguetai (1997–2007) and Sanguetaihousheng (2008– present). Their performances express appreciation for Black music and advance diversity and inclusion in Taiwan; furthermore, they allow the musicians to articulate their resistance against the status quo and elevate the social status of sango . Black music has a decisive position in the development of neotraditional Hakka Taiwanese music .