Taking place annually in “the most southern place on earth,” aka, the “Cotton Kingdom,” the Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium offers a platform to honor, celebrate, and recognize the legacy of the African Americans who labored in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta. The symposium intends to trigger discussions and provide a space where the histories and contributions of those Americans can be heard and learned from. Born in the antebellum south, the “soul of America” came to be through the tearful occupation of planting, chopping, picking and ginning cotton, where it was then brined within a system of enslavement, sharecropping and international trade that in so many ways provided America its “greatness.” Carefully compiled from works presented at the symposia, this anthology looks to expose the tortured “cotton-pickin’ spirit” embedded in America’s soul. A spirit that is rendered in song, chants, spoken word and field hollers, and revealed in this volume through the selected articles, lyric poetry, proverbs, speeches, slave narratives and workshop proposals. The rich and varied content of this book reflects the uniqueness of not only the Mississippi Delta but also the histories of those who lived and worked there.

The bilingual series Flower World - Music Archaeology of the Americas raises the study of ancient music and music-related activities of the pre-Columbian Americas to the next level. For the first time in the history of science, a series offering anthologies featuring scientific investigations in this fascinating multidisciplinary field is available. The series encompasses peer-reviewed studies by renowned scholars on both past and living music traditions from South, Central and North America, and thus constitute a platform for the most up-to-date information on the music archaeology of the continent. It features case studies and the results of research projects in the field, in which a great variety of music-archaeological approaches, such as conventional archaeology - for the interpretation of the find contexts, experimental archaeology - for reconstructive instrument making and playing, ethnohistory and ethnolinguistics - for the interpretation of textual sources, music iconology - for the interpretation if visual sources, organology and acoustics, and ethnomusicology - for the research on contemporary legacies - for the study of the instrument finds, are commonly applied. The title of the series, Flower World, refers to a mythological, even sacred place filled with the sweet scent of flowers, bird calls, pleasant sounds, and dance. It is a place full of happiness and joy, even if it belongs to the realm of the Dead, which sustains the enduring renewal of life on earth.

Taking place annually in "the most southern place on earth," aka, the "Cotton Kingdom," the Sweat Equity Investment in the Cotton Kingdom Symposium offers a platform to honor, celebrate, and recognize the legacy of the African Americans who labored in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta. The symposium intends to trigger discussions and provide a space where the histories and contributions of those Americans can be heard and learned from. Born in the antebellum south, the "soul of America" came to be through the tearful occupation of planting, chopping, picking and ginning cotton, where it was then brined within a system of enslavement, sharecropping and international trade that in so many ways provided America its "greatness." Carefully compiled from works presented at the symposia, this anthology looks to expose the tortured "cotton-pickin' spirit" embedded in America's soul. A spirit that is rendered in song, chants, spoken word and field hollers, and revealed in this volume through the selected articles, lyric poetry, proverbs, speeches, slave narratives and workshop proposals. The rich and varied content of this book reflects the uniqueness of not only the Mississippi Delta but also the histories of those who lived and worked there.

With Multicultural Perspectives in Music Education, you can explore musics from around the world with your students in a meaningful way. Broadly based and practically oriented, the book will help you develop curriculum for an increasingly multicultural society. Ready-to-use lesson plans make it easy to bring many different but equally logical musical systems into your classroom. The authors_a variety of music educators and ethnomusicologists_provide plans and resources to broaden your students' perspectives on music as an important aspect of culture both within the United States and globally.

In the early twentieth century, blues music was developed by African Americans in the Deep South. With roots in spirituals, folk music, work songs, and native music, blues contains a medley of influences that create a distinctive culture and sound. Blues moved north with the Great Migration and influenced many popular forms of music such as bluegrass, rock and roll, and country. This compelling volume details the history of blues music and the careers of major performers. It examines the ways the genre reflects the lives and conditions of African Americans during each period of its development and considers the evolution and resurgence of blues in the present day.

African Americans' historical roots are encapsulated in the lyrics, melodies, and rhythms of their music. In the 18th and 19th centuries, African slaves, longing for emancipation, expressed their hopes and dreams through spirituals. Inspired by African civilization and culture, as well as religion, art, literature, and social issues, this influential, joyous, tragic, uplifting, challenging, and enduring music evolved into many diverse genres, including jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, swing, and hip hop. Providing a lyrical history of our nation, this groundbreaking encyclopedia, the first of its kind, showcases all facets of African American music including folk, religious, concert and popular styles. Over 500 in-depth entries by more than 100 scholars on a vast range of topics such as genres, styles, individuals, groups, and collectives as well as historical topics such as music of the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and numerous others. Offering balanced representation of key individuals, groups, and ensembles associated with diverse religious beliefs, political affiliations, and other perspectives not usually approached, this indispensable reference illuminates the profound role that African American music has played in American cultural history. Editors Price, Kernodle, and Maxile provide balanced representation of various individuals, groups and ensembles associated with diverse religious beliefs, political affiliations, and perspectives. Also highlighted are the major record labels, institutions of higher learning, and various cultural venues that have had a tremendous impact on the development and preservation of African American music. Among the featured: Motown Records, Black Swan Records, Fisk University, Gospel Music Workshop of America, The Cotton Club, Center for Black Music Research, and more. With a broad scope, substantial entries, current coverage, and special attention to historical, political, and social contexts, this encyclopedia is designed specifically for high school and undergraduate students. Academic and public libraries will treasure this resource as an incomparable guide to our nation's African American heritage.

An engaging survey of what folk songs tell us about the American past

Contemporaries of the Civil Rights Movement will find here memories and images revived and thoughtful perspectives on issues never fully addressed. For those who grew up after that pivotal time, the collection provides invaluable opportunity to experience the momentous struggles faced and battles won. Includes nearly 200 entries from over 80 contributors. 75 photos & illustrations.

Gayraud S. Wilmore is Professor of Church History and Afro-American Religious Studies at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He has published numerous articles and booksl including Black Witness to the Apostolic Faith, David Shannon, co-ed.; Black and Presbyterian: The Heritage and the Hope; and Last Things First. Professor Wilmore is the recpicient of the Bruce Klunder Award of the Presbyterian Interracial Councils (1969), the Sward of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Harlem (1971), and various honorary degrees.