Bill Robinson–King for a Day

We just published the first post to summarize the influence of African-American music on American composition. In this post, we want to try to show how style and tempo can change the musical form entirely. Let’s repeat briefly what we said about “Old Black Joe.” Published in 1860, it represents a final transformation in the words and music Foster used, especially as sung by Robeson in a Gospel style. Listening to Robeson’s voice, we can hear the weary acceptance of loss and pain as the only rewards one can expect in this mortal existence. Yet, listen more attentively the second time you play it, and you will sense the unbowed head, the spirit that was never touched by mortal strife; the dignity of a man whose soul is still intact.

On the other hand, the same music could be used to create a jazz-rhythmed tap dance. Listen to the intermingling of “Swanee River” and “Old Black Joe” with a snappy jazz ending, as performed by Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in the 1934 movie short, King for a Day.