Bangkok After Dark: Unraveling the Life and Death of Maurice Rocco

Benjamin Tausig's new book 'Bangkok After Dark' examines the life and murder of Maurice Rocco, a queer Black jazz pianist who was stabbed to death in his Bangkok apartment in 1976. The book intertwines Rocco's biography with the history of US foreign policy in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and Cold War. Rocco rose to fame in the late 1930s to early 1950s, performing for television, film, and worldwide audiences despite American racism and homophobia. As his career waned with the rise of rock and roll, he found sanctuary in Bangkok's nightlife, performing at the Bamboo Bar. Tausig explores the neocolonial dynamics of US-Thai relations, the impact of American military presence, and the complexities of race, colorism, and queer sexuality in transnational spaces. The book draws on extensive archival research and interviews with figures from the sex-work and live-music industries. Tausig confronts the gaps in the archive, particularly regarding Rocco's final years, raising questions about desire, comfort, and love. Published by Duke University Press at $29.95, the book is reviewed in the Summer 2025 issue of ArtReview.