Orchestras and musical intersections with regimental bands, blackface minstrel troupes, and jazz in India, 1830s–1940s

This chapter discusses blackface minstrel troupes, British regimental bands and jazz orchestras performing in India from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. It details their challenges and strategies for success, and suggests that their capacity to facilitate cosmopolitan encounters in the wider world contributed to their popularity and value. It first introduces problems and practicalities in maintaining bands performing British military music in India in the mid- and late-nineteenth century. It then briefly introduces the character and scope of ballroom dance music and blackface minstrelsy in urban centres. To end, it examines the character of jazz orchestras between the 1920s and 1940s, detailing the role of the gramophone industry, entertainment venues such as hotel and cinema hall ballrooms, and the Allied military in Calcutta on their growth and profitability. In each example, it articulates thoughts on the role and usefulness of orchestras and notes issues confronting their musicians.