This presentation uses music to explore African American history, from the African beats to the jazz of the Harlem Renaissance to the popular music of the Civil Rights movement. The influences of traditional African music can be seen in the spirituals sung by African Americans while they worked as slaves, elements of spirituals can be found in blues, blue led way to jazz, jazz spurred on R&B, rock and roll, hip hop, and other forms of modern music. Each musical style has ties to history, such as jazz and the Harlem Renaissance or Motown and the Civil Rights Movement. To understand history, you just have to look Behind the Beat!

About the Series:

Join us at the Museum for free monthly presentations by Sean Donaldson, Museum Educator. These one-hour presentations will focus on a variety of topics ranging from broad African American history and the evolution of African american music, to Iowa’s African Americans in sports and African American holiday traditions. With twelve opportunities to explore, you won’t be disappointed.