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Category: African American History

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

“When I First Got Ready For the War,” a Song of World War I

Posted by: Stephanie Hall

This is one of two articles, each focusing on one ethnographic recording of an African American song of World War I. To read the article about “Trench Blues” select here. African Americans left to serve in World War I, beginning one hundred years ago in June 1917, landing in France on June 25. They had …

Posted in: African American History, African Americans, Alan Lomax, Folksong, John Lomax, World War I

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

The Painful Birth of Blues and Jazz

Posted by: Stephanie Hall

One hundred years ago this month, February 26, 1917, what is generally acknowledged as the first recording of jazz was released. “Livery Stable Blues,” performed by the Original Dixieland Jass Band [1] was a best-selling record for Victor, but is a problematic “first” as it is a recording of a white band performing an African …

Posted in: African American History, African Americans, Blues, Folk Music, Folksong, Jazz