The sub- for this detailed work is : BLACK TRAVELLING SHOWS, 'COON SONGS' & THE DARK PATHWAY TO BLUES AND JAZZ. In this book the two authors investigate musical comedy productions, sideshow bands, and itinerant tented minstrel bands. drawing from papers like the Indianapolis Freeman, the Chicago Defender, other black newspapers & mainstream trade journals they reveal the breadth of creativity that swept thousands of black writers, performers, musicians & entrepreneurs into the professional ranks despite the overt racism of the times.