Global Jukebox

The Global Jukebox (GJ) is an ambitious project initiated by the Association for Cultural Equity at New York’s Hunter College. Its main mission is to make available the extensive audio field recordings, pictures, and films studied by the legendary ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax and his colleagues accessible to the public for study. In the current beta version, the Global Jukebox has numerous navigation issues that could challenge even the seasoned web user. The methodological basis of data collection and analysis also deservers further explication. However, despite these weaknesses, there is much to be said for what GJ offers users. Whether spending hours moving around regions song by song or exploring familial cultural roots, users will be inspired to learn about the respective cultures and musical forms, thus fulfilling GJ’s education mission.