Maureen Russell's blog

Highlights from the Ethnomusicology Archive: Francisco Aguabella

The legendary Francisco Aguabella (1925-2010) was an Afro-Cuban percussionist and master sacred drummer of the Santeria religion.  Aguabella  was born in Matanzas, Cuba, but immigrated to California in 1953 to work with dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham on the movie Mambo.  He went on to

Highlights from the Ethnomusicology Archive: California-Arts-in-Corrections

Arts in Corrections was a unit within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that contracted with independent community service organizations and professional artists to provide arts programs within correctional institutions.

Remembering Kojo: The Maroons of Accompong, Jamaica

By guest columnist Carol Merrill-Mirsky, Ph.D.

 

Jeff Richmond, Jacqueline DjeDje, and Carol Merrill-Mirsky at the "Peace Cave" where the 1738-39 Peace Treaty was signed.  Photo courtesy Jeff Richmond.

Highlights from the Ethnomusicology Archive: Bette Cox collection now online

Bette Yarbrough Cox (1921-2017) was a music educator in Los Angeles for more than 30 years, the founder of the BEEM (Black Experience as Expressed through Music) Foundation for the Advancement of Music, a Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, and a longtime friend of former Mayor Tom Bradley.

Highlights from the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive: James Arkatov World Music photographs

James Arkatov was born in 1920 in Odessa, Russia and raised in San Francisco, where his father, Alexander Arkatov, owned a photography salon.  In 1938, he was invited by Fritz Feiner to join the Pittsburgh Symphony.  Later, he joined the San Francisco Symphony with Pierre Monteux, and went on to be principal cellist of the

The Sounds of Central Avenue

From the 1920s through the early 1950s, Central Avenue was the economic and social center for African American Los Angeles. It was also a hub for all Southern Californians who wanted to hear the latest and best in jazz.

Highlights from the Ethnomusicology Archive: the Charlotte Heth collection

Charlotte Heth has a long and distinguished history at UCLA.  In 1973, she began teaching a survey course on American Indian music.  In 1975 she completed her disseration in Ethnomusicology, "Stomp dance music of the Oklahoma Cherokee: a study of contemporary practice with special reference to the Illinois District Council Ground."  Heth was director of UCLA's

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