Thesis Chapters by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
This thesis is a comparative analysis of representations of the African American fife and drum mu... more This thesis is a comparative analysis of representations of the African American fife and drum musical tradition in North Mississippi, tracing the ways these representations are shaped by the ideologies, aims, methods, and social positions of the person(s) in primary control of representation. It includes the exploration and interpretation
of audio recordings (including music, graphic presentation, and album copy), video, and film representations. African American fife and drum music is rooted in cross-cultural exchanges of folklore, melody, lyrical text, and instrumentation between African and Anglo Americans
dating back to the American Revolutionary War in the United States. It remained a strong musical practice in the southern states throughout the twentieth century but is now solely borne by the Turner family of Senatobia, Mississippi. Through the years, varied representations of this musical tradition reflect the idiosyncratic style of the producer illuminating otherwise hidden structures of cultural power.
Dissertation Proposal by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
Papers by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
Black musicians in string-bands in the American South during the period 1920-1950 were remarkably... more Black musicians in string-bands in the American South during the period 1920-1950 were remarkably resilient to social, political, and cultural forces while also actively creating cultural products. The breadth of their musical activities and networks of interconnectivity expands our knowledge and indicates significant contributions to black cultural productions during this period of time. Their imprint on the fabric of American popular music is indelible, characterized by adaptive, innovative, and creative practices. Centering this discussion on black musicians and their activities in string-bands highlights their diversity as it relates to genre, musicianship, and the navigation of varied performance spaces. Black musicians who performed in string-bands had highly developed skills on their instruments and were recognized as experts on their instruments and as professionals in the music industry. Those with long music careers had deep networks of connections to and mentorship from other professional musicians, along with a flexible repertoire that would allow them to adapt to any audience in any context, a performative stratagem, an understanding of how to prolong their lives as independent musicians, and the freedom to travel. The early musical career of Gus "Banjo Joe" Cannon from Clarksdale, Mississippi and, later, nearby Memphis, Tennessee is one example iii of many who demonstrate the aforementioned qualities and focus this dissertation.
Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of... more Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.
Uploads
Thesis Chapters by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
of audio recordings (including music, graphic presentation, and album copy), video, and film representations. African American fife and drum music is rooted in cross-cultural exchanges of folklore, melody, lyrical text, and instrumentation between African and Anglo Americans
dating back to the American Revolutionary War in the United States. It remained a strong musical practice in the southern states throughout the twentieth century but is now solely borne by the Turner family of Senatobia, Mississippi. Through the years, varied representations of this musical tradition reflect the idiosyncratic style of the producer illuminating otherwise hidden structures of cultural power.
Dissertation Proposal by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
Papers by Kathleen (Kat) Danser
of audio recordings (including music, graphic presentation, and album copy), video, and film representations. African American fife and drum music is rooted in cross-cultural exchanges of folklore, melody, lyrical text, and instrumentation between African and Anglo Americans
dating back to the American Revolutionary War in the United States. It remained a strong musical practice in the southern states throughout the twentieth century but is now solely borne by the Turner family of Senatobia, Mississippi. Through the years, varied representations of this musical tradition reflect the idiosyncratic style of the producer illuminating otherwise hidden structures of cultural power.