African Music Through TimeAfrican Music Through Time

Zulu Dance

By Laura, Rebecca, and Rima

Jazz

African ArtAfrican Art

Bakuba helmetBakuba helmet

Akua-ba, statuette of fertility and healthy

child-birth

(Asante)

Chi Wara male headdress, icon for good harvest

(Bamana)

Chi Wara female headdress, good harvest and family

values

(Bamana)

Mask from Grassland, Cameroon area

Mbira musical instrument

(Chokwe)

History of Slavery & MusicHistory of Slavery & Music• African music existed in simple and complex forms thousands of years African music existed in simple and complex forms thousands of years

before white settlers came to the country.before white settlers came to the country.• Each song had a purpose and was associated with tradition, events, etc.Each song had a purpose and was associated with tradition, events, etc.• African musical beats and styles have vastly influenced music in the U.S.African musical beats and styles have vastly influenced music in the U.S.• By 1620s, African people had been sold to white men in Jamestown.By 1620s, African people had been sold to white men in Jamestown.• By 1980s, entire economy of what would become the United States By 1980s, entire economy of what would become the United States

depended entirely upon slave work. Over 600,000 of these people were depended entirely upon slave work. Over 600,000 of these people were native Africans who had arrived to the “New World” via ship.native Africans who had arrived to the “New World” via ship.

• Slave music was outlawed after it was discovered that the slaves could Slave music was outlawed after it was discovered that the slaves could communicate through their music; fear of uprising.communicate through their music; fear of uprising.

• English was later adapted to many of the slave songs, creating the English was later adapted to many of the slave songs, creating the foundation for what we call “spirituals,” which were mostly about foundation for what we call “spirituals,” which were mostly about freedom.freedom.

• End of 1800s: work songs & spirituals begin to evolve into other forms of End of 1800s: work songs & spirituals begin to evolve into other forms of music, eventually resulting in ragtime, soul, rhythm & blues, rock and roll, music, eventually resulting in ragtime, soul, rhythm & blues, rock and roll, scat, jazz, reggae, and rap.scat, jazz, reggae, and rap.

• New perspectives on tempo, syncopation, and improvisation = New perspectives on tempo, syncopation, and improvisation = characteristic “American music” sound known worldwide today.characteristic “American music” sound known worldwide today.       

History of SpiritualsHistory of Spirituals

• Spirituals & Work Songs: (a.k.a. “chain gang” songs) Expression and Spirituals & Work Songs: (a.k.a. “chain gang” songs) Expression and emotional support.emotional support.

• The Underground Railroad: Helped slaves escape to “free” country; songs The Underground Railroad: Helped slaves escape to “free” country; songs of this period include “Wade in the Water,” “Gospel Train,” “Swing Low, of this period include “Wade in the Water,” “Gospel Train,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”Sweet Chariot.”

• Slavery was abolished in 1865; worship in churches with roots in African Slavery was abolished in 1865; worship in churches with roots in African traditions.traditions.

• 1925-1985: Spirituals considered traditional songs – performed at church, 1925-1985: Spirituals considered traditional songs – performed at church, on stage, movies, theater, etc. 1930s – nightclubs; 1950s-60s – Civil Rights on stage, movies, theater, etc. 1930s – nightclubs; 1950s-60s – Civil Rights (“This Little Light of Mine”)(“This Little Light of Mine”)

• First Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrated in 1985, became a national First Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrated in 1985, became a national holiday in 1992. Since first celebration of holiday, African American holiday in 1992. Since first celebration of holiday, African American spirituals have been considered pieces of American heritage.spirituals have been considered pieces of American heritage.

African American ArtAfrican American Art

Beauty and Her Burden by Leonard

Freeman

Follow the Drinking Gourd

Maple Leaf Rag

Scott Joplin

Mutual Musicians

Blues Boys Tune

Sound of Miles

So What

A Tribute to Ray Charles

I Got a Woman

Annicia and Sister Carol

by Jesse Watson

One Drop