Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

Overview

Jazz and the struggle for independence intertwine in a gripping exploration of a pivotal Cold War moment. In 1960, the UN became a battleground of political tension as the Congo fought for autonomy, facing an imminent coup backed by Western and Belgian interests unwilling to let go of their resource-rich territory. Meanwhile, the U.S. attempted to shift focus by dispatching jazz ambassador Louis Armstrong to Africa. The assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba in 1961 marked a tragic turning point, as artists Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach boldly condemned imperialism, while Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev attacked American racial injustices.