Editor’s Note

In the absence of a unifying theme for this issue, I’ve referred to it as a “catch-all” issue. A collection of articles on varied topics ranging from military bands to popular music and touching the geographic areas of Africa, Cuba, and the United States, this volume offers but one indication of the broad influence of black music and musicians. Just as the topics are diverse, so are the approaches of the scholars in their treatments of their topics. This multifaceted and multilayered volume offers an indication of present discourses and future directions for black music scholarship, observing that all forms of scholarship and inquiry compellingly contribute to this area of study.

The distribution of this volume will mark the end of my tenure as editor. It has been an honor to serve in the new editorial structure implemented by the Center for Black Music Research. I thank the Executive Director, Monica Hairston O’Connell, for entrusting me with this appointment. I also thank my predecessors, Samuel A. Floyd Jr. and Christopher Wilkinson, for their support and advice through the years. To Shannon Dudley, Kenneth Bilby, Jason Toynbee, and Byron Dueck, the guest editors who worked diligently on themed volumes, thank you for your solid contributions to the Journal. It was a pleasure to work with you all. I am also pleased to know that the Journal will continue under the editorship of Dr. Gayle Murchison of The College of William and Mary. A noted and versatile scholar, Dr. Murchison’s broad range of interests and outstanding scholarly capacities have been an asset and will continue to serve the Journal in significant ways.