Mississippi and Music

Landen Thompson

“The Birthplace of Blues Music.” Having a bad reputation for discrimination against people of color, Mississippi was the birthplace of the art of Blues. Blues originated in the Mississippi Delta and had since been brought to all corners of the world. Although blues is an integral part of Mississippi’s music history, it birthed a lot more than just Blues. From the inspiration of negritude shown in predominately African American spaces such as churches, spirituality, and the home many forms of musicality were formed and/or nurtured. It has given us our modern-day rock and roll, heavy metal, country, rap, and classical music. Thus, introducing much of our culture, African Americans, to the white gaze.

The art form has been used by many African Americans to not only share their culture but serve as the basis of their livelihood. Many blues artists use this art form to convey their inner emotions ranging from immense joy to emotions of depression and turmoil. The blues tell many different stories of the African American experience and in most cases can serve as a primary account of, now, historical events/circumstances. In this curation, viewers will see news articles regarding Mississippi musicians and their musical art forms. The curation of this virtual archive was done on the criteria that all artifacts are connected in the sense that all included artists are Mississippi natives, Musicians, and contributed to the spreading of the African American experience in some way shape, or form. From this, visitors should not only learn of artists who originated from Mississippi, but they should learn how African American artists always display a sense of negritude while creating art. This art then in turn conveys to the white audience the African American experience; whether this is in the form of rebellion, advocacy, or education.

Miss Sims Returning to Tugaloo

Series 5, Black Mississippians, 1970-1975, Box: 42, Folder: 14-15. George A. Sewell papers,0000-0000-0000-0103. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/95538

Accessed May 03, 2023.

The artifact labeled, “Miss Sims Returning to Tugaloo,” is a newspaper pamphlet used to advertise the notable soprano’s visit to the state of Mississippi. The artifact was published between the years of 1970 – 1975, which are post-Civil Rights Movement. The article is significant to the African American Experience because it served as a chance for Gwendolin Sims to celebrate her culture, which is something that is not usually praised, but to also share that culture with other audiences. As stated, in the article Sims performed spirituals as well as folk songs sung for her audiences. Although it was made palatable for the Caucasian audience, it is still a form of cultural expression and negritude, to an extent. To elaborate, it was not used to dilute the cultural heritage of the music but to profit as a byproduct.

Blind Pianist Focuses on Career

Series 5, Black Mississippians, 1970-1975, Box: 42, Folder: 14-15. George A. Sewell papers, 0000-0000-0000-0103. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc.. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/95538

Accessed May 03, 2023.

The artifact is a news article that is synonymous with a biography of blind, Jazz musician Levion Dillon. The artist hails from Tylertown, Mississippi and since learning the piano he has performed jazz in major cities all over the country. This artifact serves as an example of negritude but also of ritual. In his traveling, he was able to share the art form of jazz, which is a derivative of blues, with others all around the world. In these songs, he told of experiences, good, bad, happy, and sad. To expand on the ritual aspect, it serves as a maintenance ritual serving the purpose of replenishment being that music is often seen as a form of healing. It also shows that the African American experience is full of triumph through adversity. Not only was Levion Dillon blind but he was also left jobless because of the popularity shift from Jazz to Rock and Roll. Instead of letting that knock him down he kept his sense of black boy joy and continued to play in local clubs.

It all Comes from Blues in The Delta

Series 5, Black Mississippians, 1970-1975, Box: 42, Folder: 14-15. George A. Sewell papers, 0000-0000-0000-0103. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/95538

Accessed May 03, 2023.

This artifact serves as a newspaper article and autobiography of ‘Little Milton.’ Milton was a Blues singer who revolutionized the art form, which led to the creation of R&B. This artifact was featured in a Memphis news article to commemorate the Mississippi Delta-born artist. “It all comes from Blues in the Delta” is significant because it shows the cultural impact that blues has had on the music industry. Within the artifact, it is stated that ‘Little Milton’ never strayed away from his original personality no matter how famous he became. Being a form of negritude as well as initiation due to the challenges faced by the artist. To add, this was all done in conjunction with the spreading of African American culture.

Mississippi-born Soprano Achieves Stardom in Europe

Series 5, Black Mississippians, 1970-1975, Box: 42, Folder: 14-15. George A. Sewell papers, 0000-0000-0000-0103. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc.. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/95538

Accessed May 03, 2023.

Raechelle Potter was a Soprano hailing from Gulfport, Mississippi who achieved international fame while in Europe. The pictured article was published in the Jackson Daily News as a way to commemorate the Mississippian on her success. Joining the opera, Potter used her voice, nurtured by the church, to push her into fame. This shows a part of the African American experience that is not usually talked about. This shows that African American are successful and accomplish their dreams, which was not something that happened during the time period of this article’s publishing. She was also able to star as Maria in “Westside Story.” Potter has many revolutionary accomplishments that help serve as representation for African Americans within different forms of media.

Bobby Bryant to Visit Southern

Series 5, Black Mississippians, 1970-1975, Box: 42, Folder: 14-15. George A. Sewell papers, 0000-0000-0000-0103. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc.. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/95538

Accessed May 03, 2023.

Bobby Bryant, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi native, visited his home for a performance at the University of Southern Mississippi. “The Jackson Daily News,” wrote this article to not only notify the public of the performance but to commemorate Bryant on his accomplishments. Not only did he achieve great things musically, but he helped start a music scholarship for the university, which helps many individuals pay for school. Bryant is a great example of initiation and negritude. As stated in the article Bryant started a jazz dance band before entering high school. He also went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education with a specialization in the trumpet. The birth of blues has influenced the lives of many Mississippians in the aspects of negritude, initiation, and ritualism.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse