Jack Dappa Blues Heritage Preservation Radio Folgen

In this episode, we explore the rich cultural legacy of Black American music, focusing on the evolution from slave seculars—non-religious songs of survival, work, and resistance—to the development of the blues. Through stories, historical insights, and music, we uncover how enslaved African Americans used music to communicate, preserve their identity, and confront hardship. They also used their traditional expression to resist and revolt against ideologies and beliefs not part of their traditions. We also highlight the contributions of early folklorists, musicians, and modern artists who continue to keep these traditions alive. Join us as we celebrate the resilience and creativity that shaped American music and culture.

January 31 marks a pivotal moment in American history—the passing of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery. But freedom was more than a legal decree; it became a living story told through the rhythms of the blues, the wisdom of Black folklore, and the resilience of Afro-Indigenous traditions. On this episode, we explore how the fight for liberation shaped cultural expressions that endure today. Discover the powerful connections between Black American folklore, the birth of the blues, and the often-overlooked histories of Afro-Indigenous communities. From the trickster tales of Br’er Rabbit to the haunting melodies of the Delta blues, this is a story of survival, resistance, and the unbreakable spirit of a people who turned struggle into song. Join us as we honor the roots, the rhythms, and the resistance woven into the fabric of Black history.

African American Folklorist of the Month - Larry Handy Larry  Handy discusses with me the concept of Ethnopoetic theory (a method for analyzing and recording oral poetry and performances to capture the poetic elements of the original performance) and his love for archiving and being a librarian. Handy is a “Folklife Poet” and shares with us the meaning; he also dives deep into activism and protests. Larry lives in California, and we recorded this interview at the height of the California wildfires when he was a few miles away. In sharing his Journey to Folklore, he discusses Folk Consciousness and his "Tour of Duty," an LA Protest Memoir. BIO: Larry Handy is a folklife poet who leads the award-winning poetry band Totem Maples.  His fiction, nonfiction, and poetry appear in such journals as The Coachella Review, Cog, Mosaic: Art and Literary Journal, Proximity, Quiddity, Rivet, Roi Fainéant, Storylandia, Straight Forward Poetry, and elsewhere.  He holds an MFA in creative writing and writing for the performing arts from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s in library science from Emporia State University.  TWB Press published his horror novelette Paper Cuts: 1000 Paper Cranes.  His essay “What to Do When Grandma Has Dementia” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was listed in The Best American series under Notable Essays and Literary Nonfiction of 2016.  He is either practicing Chinese martial arts or running 26.2-mile marathons when not writing.  Southern California is his home.