An analysis of jazz music articles published in Radyo magazine (1941–1949)

Radyo magazine, published between 1941 and 1949, was an important periodical focusing on all types of activities carried out at Ankara Radio. One of the main topics emphasized in the magazine was the musical activities conducted at Ankara Radio. During this period, Ankara Radio possessed a rich repertoire of music programs. The primary goal of Ankara Radio’s music broadcasting policy was to promote and disseminate a polyphonic musical culture through classical music and the modern polyphonic Turkish music envisioned at the time. The music programs broadcast on the radio can be categorized as classical music, historical Turkish music, Turkish folk music, and the popular music of the period. This study focuses on the jazz music broadcasts, which were among the popular music genres of the time at Ankara Radio. Conducted through the document analysis method, this study provides valuable insights into the perspectives of Ankara Radio administrators toward jazz music and the intended purpose of these broadcasts. The articles in Radyo magazine reveal that jazz music was predominantly popular among young listeners. Despite the ambiguous and indecisive attitude of Ankara Radio administrators toward jazz music culture, it can be stated that jazz was regarded as a tool for promoting polyphonic music culture in connection with the general music policies of the period.