Instrumental Music for Black History Month

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Here are some of our favorite pieces of instrumental music to help you get through Black History Month.

Introduction

Black History Month is celebrated in February in the United States. It is a time to remember and honor the contributions of African Americans to our country.

One way to celebrate Black History Month is by listening to music written and performed by African American musicians. Instrumental music can be a beautiful way to connect with the past and present.

Here are some recommendations for instrumental music to listen to during Black History Month:

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson – This song is considered the Black national anthem. It was written in 1900 as a poem for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. The poem was set to music and first performed in 1905.

“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday – This song was written in 1939 by Abel Meeropol, a white Jewish man from New York City. It is a protest against lynching, a practice that was still happening in the United States at that time. The song became popular after Billie Holiday recorded it in 1939. It has been covered by many other artists since then.

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” by Jack Norworth – This song was written in 1908 and is one of the most popular songs ever written about baseball. Norworth was a vaudeville performer and had never even been to a baseball game when he wrote the song!

What is Black History Month?

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements and contributions of black Canadians. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the date of abolition of slavery in the British colonies.

Instrumental music has always played an important role in the black community, from spirituals and work songs to jazz and hip hop. It is a way to express our identity, our history and our culture. This February, we celebrate Black History Month with a selection of instrumental tracks that represent the diversity and richness of black music.

The History of Black Music

African American music is a rich and vibrant artistic tradition that has played an important role in the history and culture of the United States. From spirituals and gospel to jazz and blues, the music of black Americans has had a profound impact onAmerican society and popular culture.

In honor of Black History Month, we’ve put together a collection of some of the most important and influential tracks in the history of black music. These songs span genres and eras, but they all have one thing in common: they helped to shape a nation.

The Importance of Black Music

Black History Month is celebrated throughout the African diaspora in February. It’s a time to remember the important people, places, and events in the history of the African diaspora. It’s also a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of black people around the world.

One of the most important aspects of black culture is music. Black music has origins in Africa, and it has been shaped by the experiences of black people in America. Black music is a powerful form of expression that has been used to promote social change, fight oppression, and celebrate blackness.

Instrumental music plays an important role in black history and culture. It’s a way to connect with our African roots and express ourselves in a unique and beautiful way. Instrumental music can be healing and uplifting, and it has the power to transform lives.

If you’re looking for some instrumental music to help you celebrate Black History Month, check out these albums:

“African Sunrise” by Youssou N’Dour
“Themba” by Hugh Masekela
“Spirits Rejoice!” by Pharaoh Sanders
“Mwenda Africana” by Paul Ngozi

The Influence of Black Music

In the United States, African American music has been an integral part of the country’s musical identity since its earliest days. Black music styles have range from the critically acclaimed works of classical composers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Scott Joplin to the more modern sounds of jazz, soul, R&B, and hip hop. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favorite pieces of instrumental black music.

One of the earliest popularizers of black music was W.C. Handy, often called the “Father of the Blues.” Handy was a composer and musician who helped to bring black music to a wider audience. He is best known for his blues compositions “St. Louis Blues” and “Beale Street Blues.” Handy’s work helped to influence a generation of Jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Armstrong is one of the most beloved figures in Jazz history. A trumpeter, singer, and bandleader, Armstrong was a master of improvisation and helped to define the sound of Jazz in the 1920s. He is also credited with popularizing scat singing, a vocal style in which words are sung using nonsense syllables. One of Armstrong’s most famous recordings is his 1927 version of “West End Blues.”

As Duke Ellington’s career began to take off in the 1920s, he began to develop his own unique style that blended elements of black musical traditions with Western classical music. Ellington’s work helped to elevate Jazz to the level of art music, and he is considered one of the greatest American composers ever. His most famous composition is “Take The ‘A’ Train,” which was written for his orchestra in 1941.

In the 1950s and 1960s, soul music emerged as a new genre that combined elements of gospel, R&B, and pop music. Soul artists like Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding helped to define the sound of soul with their emotive vocals and stirring lyrics. Franklin’s 1967 hit “Respect” is perhaps her best-known song; it became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement and remains one of the most iconic songs in American pop history.

Hip hop emerged in the 1970s as a new form of black expression that combined elements of disco, rap, and R&B. Hip hop artists like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and NWA came to define this new genre with their revolutionary sounds and aggressive lyrics. In 1988, NWA released their debut album Straight Outta Compton; it would go on to become one

The Future of Black Music

Though the future of black music is impossible to predict, it seems likely that the genre will continue to evolve and change in exciting ways. Rap and hip-hop are already becoming more popular in the mainstream, and it’s possible that other forms of black music will also gain wider acceptance. Whatever happens, it’s sure to be an exciting time for fans of black music.

Conclusion

Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February. It is also celebrated in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Ireland. The monthlong celebration honors the accomplishments and contributions of black men and women throughout history.

During Black History Month, many people take the opportunity to listen to music by black artists from all genres. However, instrumental music can often be overlooked. This type of music can be just as powerful as vocal music when it comes to conveying emotion and telling a story.

Instrumental music can be a great way to learn about black history and culture. It can also be a way to relax and unwind after a long day. Whether you’re looking for something calming or uplifting, there’s sure to be an instrumental track that suits your mood.

Here are 10 great pieces of instrumental music for Black History Month:

1. “Black Orpheus” by Sidney Bechet
2. “Afro Blue” by Mongo Santamaria
3. “Maids of Cadiz” by Leopold Stokowski
4. “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin
5. “Symphony No. 1 ‘Afro-American'” by William Grant Still
6. “The Judas Tree” by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson
7.” Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday
8. “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck Quartet
9. “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin
10. “Wade in the Water” by Ramsey Lewis

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