Spreadin' Rhythm Around
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Author Description
While most people are aware of the classic white songwriters of the '20s and '30s, few realize that many of the best-loved songs of this era were written by African Americans. Rarely given their due, and covered only briefly in standard pop song histories, these important writers are finally highlighted in this landmark work. Based on new research, original interviews, and decades of archival study, Spreadin' Rhythm Around is the story of these talented songwriters who introduced new rhythms and subject matter into American popular song. In sheer depth of research, new information, and full coverage, Spreadin' Rhythm Around offers a comprehensive picture of the contributions of black musicians to American popular song. For anyone interested in the history of jazz, pop song, or Broadway, this book will be a revelation.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the overlooked contributions of African American songwriters to the development of American popular music during the 1920s and 1930s. David A. Jasen, a noted music historian, utilizes decades of archival research and original interviews to challenge the traditional narrative that centers primarily on white songwriters of the era. By documenting the specific rhythmic and thematic innovations introduced by these black artists, the book establishes a more accurate and inclusive history of the American songbook.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed biographical profiles of influential African American songwriters from the 1920s and 1930s.
- Analysis of the evolution of rhythmic structures and lyrical themes in popular music.
- Primary source material derived from extensive archival study and personal interviews.
- Contextual examination of the intersection between Broadway, jazz, and the broader pop music industry.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this text as a significant corrective to standard music histories that have historically marginalized black creators. Readers frequently note the depth of the research and the author's success in providing a comprehensive view of a previously under-documented era in American music.
Page Count:
464
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203959973
ISBN-13:
9780203959978
History
Music
Biography
Popular music
Black Composers
Music African
African American
Jazz
