Black History Month is celebrated every February in the United States. The concept was established as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926. Kent State University established Negro History Month in 1969 and Black History Month was established nationally in 1976 in a proclamation by President Gerald Ford. This week we’ll present some World and American music to help celebrate the holiday, including Rhiannon Giddens, Tarika, Kotoja, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Thelonious Monk. Celebrating Black History … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

LISTEN:

Artist / “Title” / CD / Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian
              Folkways
Thelonious Monk / “Thelonious” / Underground / CBS
Eric Bibb / Refugee Man” / Migration Blues / Stony Plain
Tarika / “Aloka” / The Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar / Rough Guide
Rhiannon Giddens / “Better Get it Right the First Time” / Freedom Highway / Nonesuch
Blind Blake / “Brown Skin Gal-Mary Ann” / Legends of Calypso / Arc

Issa Bagayogo / “Saye Mogo Bana” / African Groove / Putumayo
Kaia Kater / “Nine Pin” / Nine Pin / Kingswood
Thelonious Monk / “Thelonious (take 3)” / Underground / CBS

Various / “Chohun and Gymamadudu” / Africa-Ancient Ceremonies: Dance Music &
              Songs of Ghana / Nonesuch-Explorer
Paul Simon-Bakithi Kumolo / “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes (Alternate)” / Graceland
              / Sony Legacy
Kotoja / “Swale” / The Super Sawale Collection / Putumayo
Mandinka and Fulani Music of Gambia / “Dangoma” / Ancient Heart / Axiom
Sweet Honey in the Rock / “This Place Inside Where I Can Rest” / #LoveinEvolution / Appleseed
Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer” (excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle /
              Smithsonian Folkways