Captain Haddock wrote:We've been here before and it cuts both ways.
A domestic musicians' union ban, with the agreement of the Ministry of Labour, was initiated in the mid-thirties on visiting American jazz musicians, following successful visits from Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. Appearances from across the Atlantic virtually ceased for 20 years.
In Britain, jazz developed in quite unique ways and the following period saw the emergence of a consciously black and proud British jazz."There was a hole that needed to be filled and black British jazz evolved to fill that void," says Dr Catherine Tackley, Open University.
Perhaps it will lead to the development of a British 'sound' again?
Yep. And as you say, the consequence was a fascinating period in the history of British black music. But, as posted above, not entirely comparable to the current situation because of vastly greater influence of technology. For may musicians now streaming earns a mere pittance. Live shows are where the money is for most jobbing performers.