Blood on the Fields (jazz oratorio)

"Blood on the Fields" is a powerful jazz oratorio composed by Wynton Marsalis that explores the history of slavery, resistance, and the African American experience in the United States. Using jazz music, spoken word, and vivid storytelling, it highlights the struggles, resilience, and hope of enslaved people and their descendants. The piece combines musical improvisation with narrative to evoke emotion and reflection, making history accessible and engaging while honoring the strength and suffering of those who endured slavery. It premiered in 1995 and became the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.