Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by! This is Stanley’s website. This site started as an outlet for him to talk about the music that excites him, an obsession with album credits, and being a frequent concert goer. In addition to running his blog, Stanley is a photographer, guitarist, and Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the department of City and Regional Planning in the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania where he teaches, studies, and writes about soundscapes (music), race, and neighborhood change.

What is 808s & Jazz Breaks?

808s & Jazz Breaks is an online music journal exploring Black music traditions — Jazz (if you believe in such a title), Hip-Hop, Rap, Gospel, R&B, Rock, Blues, and so on.  

Where did the name “808s & Jazz Breaks” come from?

The name "808s & Jazz Breaks" is derived from an interest in Hip-Hop, Jazz (if you believe in such a title), and Black music traditions more broadly.

The 808 part: The 808 - formally known as the Roland TR-808 - is an electronic drum machine that has been widely used in popular music(s) since the 1980s. Since its inception, the drum machine has evolved, been mimicked, and is still widely used in contemporary music. Also, some of my favorite songs were made with the drum machine.

The Jazz Breaks part: A “break” is a technique often employed that allows the lead an opportunity to solo and improvise, temporarily stopping the music. This technique was made famous by Jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. But more than a technique, I am of the belief that the break used in Black music is more than the absence of sound. Black music is represents a break — or a departure — from form, institutions, and more.

This journal seeks to be a space where music is treated with care.

If you dig what you see, you can drop me a line here!