Representing Black Music Culture: Then, Now, and When Again? (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage)

Book Description: In This Collection Of Essays, Interviews, And Profiles, William Banfield Reflects On His Life As A Musician And Educator, As He Weaves Together Pieces Of Cultural Criticism And Artistry, All The While Paying Homage To Black Music Of The Last 40 Years And Beyond. In Representing Black Music Culture: Then, Now, And When Again?, Banfield Honors The Legacy Of Artists Who Have Graced Us With Their Work For More Than Half A Century. The Essays And Interviews In This Collection Are Enhanced By Seven Years Of Daily Diary Entries, Which Reflect On Some Of The Country's Most Respected Black Composers, Recording Artists, Authors, And Cultural Icons. These Include Ornette Coleman, Bobby Mcferrin, Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, Gordon Parks, The Marsalis Brothers, Spike Lee, Maya Angelou, Patrice Rushen, And Many Others. Though Many Of The Individuals Banfield Lauds Are Well-known To Most Readers, He Also Turns His Attention To Musicians And Artists Whose Work, While Perhaps Unheralded By The World At Large, Are No Less Deserving Of Praise And Respect For Their Contributions To The Culture. In Addition, This Volume Is Filled With Candid Photographs Of Many Of These Fellow Artists As They Participate In Expressive Culture, Whether On Stage, On Tour, In Clubs, Behind The Scenes, In Rehearsal, Or Even During Meals And Teaching Class. This Unique Book Of Essays, Interviews, Diary Entries, And Banfield's Personal Photographs Will Be Of Interest To Scholars And Students, Of Course, But Also To General Readers Interested In Absorbing And Appreciating The Beauty Of Black Culture. Then. Growing Up As A Musician In Detroit ; Cass Tech High ; Boston (1979-1988) ; Making Music, Finding Meaning (1989-2003) -- Now. Hope And New Directions (2004) ; Slowly Contemplating (2005) ; Life Lived East (2006) ; The New Essays (2006-2008) ; Representing Culture (2008) ; Reckonings And Recognitions (2009) ; Closing Comments On Culture : Essays And Entries (2010) ; Tag And Coda -- When Again? The Artist Photo Profiles. William C. Banfield. Includes Index. Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 14 Introduction: Moving toward Clarity......Page 16 PART I. THEN......Page 36 CHAPTER ONE. Growing Up as a Musician in Detroit......Page 38 CHAPTER TWO. Cass Tech High......Page 44 CHAPTER THREE. Boston (1979–1988)......Page 50 CHAPTER FOUR. Making Music, Finding Meaning (1989–2003)......Page 60 PART II. NOW......Page 80 CHAPTER FIVE. Hope and New Directions (2004)......Page 82 CHAPTER SIX. Slowly Contemplating Boston (2005)......Page 102 CHAPTER SEVEN. Life Lived East (2006)......Page 116 CHAPTER EIGHT. The New Essays (2006–2008)......Page 126 CHAPTER NINE. Representing Culture (2008)......Page 158 CHAPTER TEN. Reckonings and Recognitions (2009)......Page 178 CHAPTER ELEVEN. Closing Comments on Culture: Entries and Essays (2010)......Page 208 CHAPTER TWELVE. Tag and Coda......Page 256 PART III. WHEN AGAIN?......Page 266 CHAPTER THIRTEEN. The Artist Photo Profiles......Page 268 Index......Page 300 About the Author......Page 312 In this collection of essays, interviews, and profiles, William Banfield reflects on his life as a musician and educator, weaving together pieces of cultural criticism that pay homage to artists who have created and sustained Black music for more than 40 years.