Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat is director Johan Grimonprez's 2024 documentary exposing the activities of the CIA, UN delegations, mercenaries and others in the overthrow and subsequent assassination of Congo's post-colonial prime minister Patrice Lumumba. The events focus on the African country's 1960 election and the subsequent political machinations of various, largely dubious, parties. Sounds heavy going? It was, all two and a half hours of it!
What's this piece doing on BSH? The soundtrack, that's the reason. Louis Armstrong and other 'cultural ambassadors', sponsored by the US government to perform in Africa and elsewhere, were unaware they were being used as pawns in a rapidly changing political landscape. The documentary element is intercut with superb performances by Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and others. As a documentary film it is unremittingly grim, the jazz is the thing and, given the chance, courtesy of your local arthouse cinema, it's worth catching. Russell
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