Customer Reviews

From Cakewalks to Concert Halls: An Illustrated History of African American Popular Music.......

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For anyone with an interest in the early history of Jazz and American popular music this is a treasure. This volume delves into the history of African American contributions to popular music using rare and beautiful reproductions of full page sheet music. Many are a glimpse into the stunning racist uncle tom imagery of the time that was used to sell music created by African a
Americans, often re-arranged by white arrangers and singers. This is a facinating book, that fills in a part of history generally forgotten, as black American music was often co-opted by the larger white culture, ie songs were often stolen by publishers and anyone with a cursory knowledge of American blues and popular music knows this continued well into the 70's.

However this book tells so many more stories about early spirituals,minstrel songs, worksongs, broadway tunes, ragtime, popular songs and jazz. Included are well known artists such as WC Handy and Fats Waller to Paul Whiteman & Duke Ellington. The majority of artists featured in the work are songwriters and musicians that I for one, had never heard of. This is a gorgeous book and should be in any serious Jazz or Blues fan, or musicologists library. Even someone who just appreciates commercial art of the early 20th century that depicts African Americans, this is a fascinating and wonderful work that was obviously put together with love and respect due the art and the artists whom arguably created a large percentage of what we know today as American Blues, Jazz, Swing, and Popular Music. A beautiful Book!!!

I think that this book provided me with great knowledge about African American music in the early years. It went into great depth and was easy to read. Great for research papers.