The Memoirs of Alton Augustus Adams, Sr.: First Black Bandmaster of the United States Navy (Music of the African Diaspora)

Contents......Page 12 Foreword - Samuel A.Floyd, Jr.......Page 14 Acknowledgments - Mark Clague......Page 18 Introduction: the soul of alton adams - Mark Clague......Page 20 the memoirs of alton augustus adams, sr., 1889–1987......Page 38 1. a historical memoir......Page 40 2. the st.thomas craftsmen of the nineteenth century......Page 49 3. the value of education......Page 66 4. music in the virgin islands and the founding of the adams juvenile band (1910)......Page 80 5. the united states navy band of the virgin islands (1917–1923)......Page 105 6. the navy band’s 1924 united states tour......Page 142 7. the close of the naval years (1925–1931)......Page 160 8. the naval administration (1917–1931): an evaluation......Page 194 9. civilian government and politics (the 1930s)......Page 206 10. the power of the press (the 1940s)......Page 252 11. tourism and the hotel association (the 1950s)......Page 282 Editorial Methods - Mark Clague......Page 306 Editorial Notes - Mark Clague......Page 312 Selected Bibliography......Page 354 Index......Page 360 "The Memoirs of Alton Augustus Adams, Sr. tells the life story of Alton Augustus Adams, Sr., musician, writer, hotelier, and the first black bandmaster in the United States Navy. Born in the Virgin Islands in 1889, Adams joined the U.S. military in 1917 when America acquired the islands from Denmark. Although naval policy at the time restricted blacks to jobs as mess attendants and stewards, Adams and his all-black ensemble were inducted to provide a bridge between the primarily black local population and their new, all-white naval administrators. Adams continued to leverage his newly acquired prestige to the advantage of his community, most notably in 1924 through the band's triumphant publicity tour of the U.S. Eastern seaboard, which helped jump-start the islands' tourist industry." "Adams's memoirs, here edited and placed in historical context by Mark Clague, with a foreword by Samuel Floyd, Jr., reveal an inspired cultural activist who believed that music could change the world, mitigate racism, and help bring lasting prosperity to his island home."--Jacket. Alton Augustus Adams, Sr., was a musician, writer, hotelier, and the first black bandmaster of the United States Navy. Born in the Virgin Islands in 1889, Adams joined the U.S. military in 1917. Although naval policy at the time restricted blacks to menial jobs, Adams and his all-black ensemble provided a bridge between the local population and their all-white naval administrators. His memoirs, edited by Mark Clague, with a foreword by Samuel Floyd, Jr., reveal an inspired activist who believed music could change the world, mitigate racism, and bring prosperity to his island home. A historical memoir The St. Thomas craftsmen of the nineteenth century The value of education Music in the Virgin Islands and the founding of the Adams Juvenile Band (1909) The United States Navy Band of the Virgin Islands (1917/1923) The Navy Band's 1924 United States tour The close of the naval years (1925/1931) The naval administration : an evaluation Civilian government and politics (the 1930s) The power of the press (the 1940s) Tourism and the hotel association (the 1950s).