Interesting article on how the KKK brought about the jazz age in the 1

[Hardbopjazz]

How did the Ku Klux Klan play an indirect role in financing the early popularity of some legendary black jazz musicians? Money from the racist group helped keep an independent record company in business in the 1920s that played a role in the growth of jazz music.

Klan members in the 1920s.

The Gennett record label was a big independent record company in the early Jazz Age. Owned by the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana, Gennett would record anyone, including early black jazz, country, and blues musicians.

http://news.yahoo.com/klan-indirect-role-fostering-jazz-age-100215753.html

[cih]

It's an oft-repeated curiosity that the Klan also managed bluesman Jaybird Coleman following his recordings for Gennett in the 20s - I think the story came from his brother.