African Musicians in the Atlantic World: Legacies of Sound and Slavery

Music, as a powerful cultural continuity, was fostered by enslaved Africans and their descendants in the Americas, drawing from the west coast of Africa to the New World. This book bridges African diaspora studies, music studies, and transatlantic and colonial American literature to trace the lineage of African and African diasporic musical life in the early modern period. It analyzes surviving sources to recover the lives of African performers and the meaning of their musical creations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2023
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

Music, a profound and enduring facet of human expression, stands as one of the most remarkable cultural legacies nurtured by enslaved Africans and their descendants across the Americas. The very essence of much of the music cherished worldwide today finds its origins in the lives of those forcibly transported across the Atlantic, from the western coast of Africa to the shores of the so-called New World. This groundbreaking new book serves as a vital bridge between African diaspora studies, musicology, and transatlantic and colonial American literature, meticulously tracing the lineage of African and African diasporic musical life during the early modern era.

In her meticulous examination of surviving sources, particularly European travelogues, Mary Caton Lingold endeavors to resurrect the stories of African performers, the melodies they crafted, and the profound meanings their musical creations held within Africa and subsequently for enslaved communities in the Caribbean and throughout the plantation Americas. The book unfurls a rich tapestry of early African sound, offering a revelatory analysis of the myriad ways in which music shaped the experiences of enslavement and colonization in the Americas.

Through her meticulous research, Lingold sheds light on the lives and musical traditions of individuals such as Kofi Annan, a West African musician who was enslaved in Virginia and played a crucial role in shaping the musical landscape of the Americas. She also delves into the influence of African music on the development of European musical styles, highlighting the ways in which African rhythms, melodies, and harmonies were incorporated into European compositions.

Moreover, the book explores the complex relationship between music and resistance, highlighting the ways in which enslaved Africans and their descendants used music as a tool for empowerment, cultural preservation, and collective resistance against oppression. It sheds light on the role of music in shaping social movements, such as the abolitionist movement, and in fostering a sense of community and identity among enslaved people.

In conclusion, Music, that fundamental form of human expression, emerges as a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of enslaved Africans and their descendants. This groundbreaking book serves as a vital contribution to our understanding of the rich musical heritage of the African diaspora and its profound impact on the history and culture of the Americas. By bridging disciplines and illuminating the intricate connections between music, culture, and history, Lingold's work offers a valuable lens through which we can appreciate the enduring legacy of African music and its profound influence on the world.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813949789