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African-American History Month

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J. Rosamond Johnson, detail from cover of "Pliney come out in the moonlight."
J. Rosamond Johnson, detail from cover of “Pliney come out in the moonlight.”

Celebrate African-American History month with a presentation of  African-American Band Stocks on the Performing Arts Encyclopedia. This collection of “stock” arrangements – published orchestrations for instrumental groups – is written by some of the most important African-American composers of the early 20th century. Among those represented are J. Rosamond Johnson,  whose most famous song,  ”Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” is known as the Black National Anthem; and James Reese Europe, who jazz pianist Eubie Blake called “The Martin Luther King of music.”  You can also read about and listen to African American Performers on Early Sound Recordings, which features performances by Blake, Europe, and Bert Williams.

Comments (5)

  1. every guy have the same oprtunity to realice a good life ,we all are created iqual..good for them

  2. Good morning,
    During African-American History Month, will there be any programs, exhibits, or discussions around American Blues genre? Blues is such an integral part of the American musical fabric, it would be appealing to many of us to learn (and discuss) great icons of the Blues scene, such as Willie Dixon, Son House, Robert Johnson, and more. Second, as an avid military history buff, I think including a focus on African-American heroes of our nation’s conflicts would be a true learning experience. Thank you!

  3. Hi Jim. The Library has a number of online presentations on African-American blues musicians and military heroes:

    -you can view a webcast interview with New Orleans blues pianist Henry Butler here: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4676

    -see an online presentation on the Buffalo Soldiers as part of the Veteran’s History Project here: http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-buffalosoldiers.html.

    -the American Folklife Center has the online presentation “Blues, Gospel, and the Fort Valley Music Festivals” here: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ftvhtml/ftvhome.html

  4. And this is coming up next week from the American Folklife Center: AFC’s Botkin Lecture: Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues an illustrated lecture by William R. Ferris, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, February 17, 2010, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm, Mary Pickford Theater, 3rd Floor, James Madison Building

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