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  • Jamesie: King of Scratch
  • Joan O’Connor
Jamesie: King of Scratch. DVD. Produced and directed by Andrea E. Leland. [Evanston, IL]: Nine Morning Productions, 2006. ISBN: 1574481770. $45.00 (individual); $99.00 (public libraries, with PPR); $250.00 (colleges and universities, with PPR).

Scratch or Quelbe music—what is it? Jamesie Brewster, the central character of this documentary, is called the “King of Scratch” because he is uncompromising in his traditional music making. His songs narrate events in everyday life, about such “tings” as “ Your jackass in me yard,” “Caroline,” “Queen Mary,” “La Bega Carousel,” and “Mari Bull Loose Me.” The documentary shows performances by Jamesie and the All Stars and the musicians talk about the origins of Quelbe or scratch music.

The video begins with scenes of Jamesie making a banjo/guitar from a sardine can, a wooden board from which he carves the [End Page 150] fretboard, later adding strings made out of twine. This is his “signature” instrument which Jamesie still uses today, although not exclusively.

Jamesie Brewster, born on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands in 1929, is the undisputed king of scratch band music, also known as “Quelbe.” Historian and educator Dimitri Copemann states: “Quelbe comes from a fusion of bamboula rhythms and chants, carioso songs and melodies, mixed with the old military fife and drum music, and the various quadrilles, minuets, and jigs.” (Tom Eader, “Island Music,” The Abis 025 [31 Jan. 2004]: 2) Tourists often attribute the term “scratch music” to the “scratchy” sound of the squash (gourd) musical instrument. Others attribute the term to these instruments which are “made from scratch.”

The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25,000,000. Historic black and white film footage shows maps, slaves dancing, and a drawing of a Crucian native. Quelbe was used by slaves to communicate when they were not allowed to talk to each other. Rhythms and instruments represented thoughts or ideas not recognizable by the slave masters. Quelbe became the official music of the Virgin Islands in 2004 when Bill No. 25-0056 was signed by Governor Charles Turnbull, and became Act 6642.

His father, a well-known musician, forbid Jamesie to play on his guitar. When Jamesie touched the strings and was reprimanded, Jamesie made his own guitar. After establishing himself as the “king of scratch,” his father told Jamesie to keep this music tradition alive. In 2002, Jamesie was honored at the Summit of Tradition Bearers for his lifelong contributions to the musical heritage of the Virgin Islands. Historic footage of his family ancestors is displayed in blue and white colors.

While listening to some of these songs, we see scenes from the countryside, the beach, local animals (lizards, jackasses, chickens), and native food delicacies (fish, pastries, sugar cane, chickens roasting, ice cream churned by bicycle). In Chicago, we visit a record store, the airport, its freeways, and landmarks. At the carnival, we see people on rides and getting their faces painted. On the island, we see tourists shopping, eating, dancing, and playing board games; the cook at Mary’s Kitchen has stories to tell. There is a clip of Jamesie being interviewed by Kathleen McManus at a local radio station.

From interview to nightclub, we hear the musicians talk about the old days when they made $3.00 a night and the visit by President Truman when they received $75.00 for their performance. We see clips of the band performing at a St. Croix nightclub, a St. Croix agricultural fair, the Chicago 2004 World Music Festival, and a Lotus Festival (World Music & Arts) in Bloomington, Indiana. Members of the Danish Polcalypso Orchestra talk about their experiences learning from Jamesie and performing scratch music. In 1995, the Danish Polcalypso Orchestra performed at the carnival in the Virgin Islands. Two years later Jamesie performed in Denmark. Two CDs resulted from this collaboration: The Original Danish Polcalypso Orchestra Live featuring Jamesie (CCR CD 97002 [1997]) and Polcalypso & Jamesie Live in Denmark (CCD CD 2000-1 [2000]).

Wayne James, the interviewer at the end of the documentary, asks Jamesie about the future of “Quelbe.” Presently every school in the Virgin Islands has a youth...

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