In Sonny’s Blues, jazz is more than just music for Sonny – it’s his way of expressing himself, surviving, and dealing with the pain he’s carried his whole life. When Sonny talks about becoming a musician, he tells his brother, “I want to play with jazz musicians. I want to play jazz.” This isn’t just a casual choice; it’s his way of coping with the struggles he faces in Harlem and the personal battles inside him. Jazz gives him a voice when words fail, and through music, he finds a way to be himself.

Jazz also conects Sonny to others, especially his brother and community. At the nightclub, when the narrator watches Sonny perform, he begins to truly understand Sonny for the first time. Baldwin writes, “Sonny’s fingers filled the air with life, his life. But that life contained so many others.” In this moment, the narrator sees how music brings out Sonny’s pain and resilience while also conencting to the struggles of the people in the room. Jazz becomes a shared experience, a way to feel seen and understood. The nightclub isn’t just a stage – it’s a palce where emotions, stories, and pain are shared through sound, creating a bond between the perfomers and the audience. Sonny’s music touches everyone there.

Finally, jazz allows Sonny to turn his suffering into something powerful. When Creole encourages Sonny during the performance, it’s like he’s saying, “Deep water and drowning were not the same thing.” Music lets Sonny confront his struggles without letting them consume him. By channeling his pain into his art, Sonny transforms it into something meaningful, offering healing for both himself and those who listen.

Baldwin’s story shows how jazz is more than entertainmnet – it’s a lifeline. For Sonny, it’s how he survives, connects with others, and turns his pain into hope.

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