3. Introducing Until 1619, whatever slaves existed in America were those of “tawny” Native Indian origin. It wasn’t until a Dutch slave ship needed supplies that the first Africans were bartered for. In Virginia, the Dutch ship exchanged its slave ‘cargo’for food stuffs in order to complete its voyage (Billie). African Entry into America
4. Once their destination was determined, usually a plantation, slaves were put to work. It is at this point that African slaves began their integral role in America’s music history. ‘Field hollers’ were a form of communication. Not only were they used to keep the workers’ pace, but they were also used for the benefit of slave-owners to track and located the whereabouts of their slaves (Crawford).
7. “This was their time to come together and thank God they survived another day” (Free).
8.
9. Here we see yet another superb example of slaves gathering in song and dance. We begin to see the use of instruments, as seen with the gentleman playing a violin.
10. These are some of the first instruments made and used by African Americans. Banjo
11. Slaves were not allowed to have drums, because slave-owners feared that the slaves would use the drums to signal a revolt (Crawford). D R U M S
13. Slave-era Spirituals brought about songs that spoke of struggles and the yearning for personal empowerment (Celebrating). Songslike Amazing Grace led to Folk music and songs of Blues. http://youtu.be/B3XdXEJEI4E
14. Despite their struggles, African American slaves were faithful and true to their Lord. Great is Thy Faithfulness, Sung by CeCeWinans http://youtu.be/60o3UP4Kjwg
18. It is great wonderment this painting evokes. As one takes in the singularity of the tree and its branches - void of all life, including that of the body which hangs from it, the background is empty with nothing but the glow of red… All is lost, and emptiness prevails. http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs15/i/2007/058/f/6Strange_Fruit_by_N1NJ4hunter.jpg
19. “David Margolick, a staff writer for Vanity Fair cites a study by Tuskegee Institute, whose ‘conservative figures’ showed that from 1889 to 1940, 3,833 human beings were lynched in the United States…” (Hamill).
21. One artist bold enough to address the abuse of African Americans was Billie Holiday.
22. This rendition of Strange Fruit is my favorite. Billie Holiday took this poem and gave it life. http://youtu.be/s9FZMHNhJ80
23. Billy Holiday was born Elinore [Fagan] Harris on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a teen, Billie had been raped, then sent to jail for supposedly seducing her attacker. Once released from jail, Billie turned to prostitution. She had not been interested in Jazz until she began listening to the phonograph in the brothel she worked at. Needless to say, she struggled most of her life with drugs and alcohol. On July 17, 1959, she finally lost her battle with addiction and passed away. She was only 44 years old (Strange).
24. Lady Day Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday Snapshots of… “In 1936, Lester Young, a fellow musician and close friend, gave her the nickname, “Lady Day.’”.
27. What’s going on? By Marvin Gaye http://youtu.be/ZaR6AuDQ7uQ Civil Rights Movement…
28. Nina Simone… “I Wish I Knew (How it Would Feel to be Free)” http://youtu.be/aI-ezEtJ_-s
29. Diana Ross Then… http://youtu.be/CnzmPrsLXn8 …Now The beauty behind this clip is that the integration has occurred.
30. Another powerful song about the struggles African Americans faced is: “A Change is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke. http://youtu.be/48K5Y0421Ig
31. Sly and the Family Stone sing about being “Everyday People…” http://youtu.be/EgVOR28iG_o
32. We, as a nation, have come a long way since the days of slavery. Garth Brooks sings a new song for freedom. “We Shall Be Free.” http://youtu.be/KQ0DXLm5pd4
36. Works Cited “Billie Holiday.” 2011. Biography.com. Web. 20 July 2011. Chronology on the History of Slavery. Eddie Becker, 1999.Web. 17 July 2011. http://innercity.org/holt/slavechron.html. “Celebrating African Americans in Folk Music.” About.com, 2011. Web. 21 July 2011. Crawford, Richard. An Introduction to America’s Music. New York:W.W. Norton, 2001. Print. “Free to Dance – Behind the Dance, From Slave Ships to CenterStage.” PBS, 2001. Web. 19 July 2011. Hamill, Pete. "Blood at the Root." National Review 52.9 (2000): 58-61. Military & Government Collection. EBSCO. Web. 21 July 2011. “Strange Fruit.” The Pop History Dig. The Pop History Dig, 2011. Web. 21 July 2011. Sydney-Jane. Billie Holiday Pictures, 2010. Writers’ Block:: Lady Day – A Pictorial Dedication. Web. 8 July 2011. Timeline – Evolution of African-American Music. Indiana University, 2000. Web. 21 July 2011.
Editor's Notes
This template can be used as a starter file for a photo album.
