Sydney March, a Jamaican musician and writer, spoke of his memories growing up in West Kingston, Jamaica, including his schooling in East Kingston, playing cricket, and music clubs. He spoke about his connection to Jamaican culture and his roots; freedom in Jamaica; and race in Jamaica versus United States. He explained his thoughts on education, and separation and isolation in the United States; and the importance of learning about all cultures.
March explained he migrated to Washington, DC to attend Howard University, and why he still lived in Washington, DC area. He described the political atmosphere while he attended Howard University; and spoke about prominent figures at Howard University, including Stokely Carmichael, Donald Byrd, Eric Williams, and Sterling Allen Brown.
March spoke about the Jamaican and Caribbean community in Washington, DC, including night clubs and reggae music, and on Howard University campus, where Jamaicans spoke Patois and played cricket and soccer together. He explained there was not much unity between Caribbean and African American communities on Howard University campus at the time, the lived experience that separated the two communities, how long it took for African Americans to connect to Caribbean culture, and the evolution of culture and identity.
March also spoke about ska, reggae, calypso, jazz, rocksteady, and R & B music; Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, and their philosophies; when and how he started playing music; the musicians he listened to; learning and playing music, and the music scene in Jamaica, London, New York City, and Washington, DC; the various instruments he played; the musicians and bands he played with; some of the venues where he played music in Washington, DC; reggae DJs, including Tony Carr, and impact on rap DJs; DJ battles; Rastafarian performers; and Bob Marley's influence on reggae music. March explained Rastafari and reggae are not synonymous. He also spoke about the Jamaican posse; guns and drugs in Washington, DC; shootings at venues where reggae bands performed; and Operation Caribbean Cruise. Finally, March talked about his writing work and publications.
Interview is in English. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee's voice is intelligible for the most part.
General:
Associated documentation, including partial transcripts, for this interview is available in the Anacostia Community Museum Archives. The textual transcripts are not verbatim of the audio recordings.
Title created by ACMA staff using text written on sound cassette, contents of audio recording, textual transcript, and/or associated archival documentation.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Black Mosaic: Community, Race, and Ethnicity among Black Immigrants in Washington, D. C. exhibition records, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
rehearsal--If your momma don't --Take it slow and easy (2x)--Freight train on a rocky road--Down in the alley--Yes yes so long baby--So long baby (2x)--Whoa baby you don't have to go--instrumental--Oh, why can't you be brave (6x)--Rocky road (2x)--I'll fly away
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-4867
Folkways.31008
General:
CDR copy
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, generously supported by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation
201 Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean / Ruth Brown.
202 I've Got a Woman / Ray Charles. Piano.
203 Good Lovin' / Clovers (Musical group).
204 Hide and Seek / Joe Turner.
205 Bop Ting-a-Ling / LaVern Baker.
206 Honey Love / Drifters (Musical group), Clyde McPhatter.
207 Flip, Flop and Fly / Joe Turner.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-0658
Atlantic.1239
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Atlantic
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Whoa Buck / Bob Gibson (2:35) --Railroad Bill / The Homesteaders (3:40) --Red River / Sony Terry (2:25) --The E-ri-e was rising / Oscar Brand (2:34) --I know where I'm going / Cynthia Gooding (1:55) --A dying man's plea / The Staple Singers (2:48) --Made me a pallet on the floor / Odetta (3:46) --Bahaman Lullaby / Billy Faier (4:13) --Raise a ruckus / The Lonsesome River Boys (1:52) --Sunnyland train / Memphis Slim (3:56) --Hard, ain't it hard / Eric Weissberg and Dick Rosmini (2:01) --I rowed a little boat / John Lee Hooker (3:25).
Track Information:
101 Whoa, Back, Buck / Bob Gibson. Guitar.
102 Railroad Bill / Homesteaders (Folk group). Guitar.
103 Red River / Sonny Terry. Harmonica.
104 The Erie Was Rising / Oscar Brand. Guitar.
105 I Know Where I'm Going / Cynthia Gooding. Guitar.
106 A Dying Man's Plea / Staple Singers.
201 Make Me a Pallet on the Floor / Odetta.
202 Bahamian Lullaby / Billy Faier. Banjo.
203 Raise a Ruckus Tonight / Lonesome River Boys. Guitar.
204 Sunnyland Train / Memphis Slim. Piano.
205 Hard, Ain't it Hard / Dick Rosmini, Eric Weissberg. Guitar,Banjo.
206 I Rowed a Little Boat / John Lee Hooker. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-1194
Riverside.7539
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Riverside
General:
Sung by individual or group performers with added musicians.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Fannie Mae --John Henry --Madison --St. Louis blues --When things go wrong --Lost in a dream --Is you is or is you ain't -- Don't dog your woman --Blue berry hill --Sincerely --I'm goin' but I'll be back.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-1350
Blues Soul.2014
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Blues Soul 197x
General:
Program and biographical notes on container by Jack Walker. Performer(s): Buster Brown, with blues ensemble.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
