About the Project
After hearing about the North Carolina Arts Council’s Blue Ridge Music Trails project, Thornton Canady, a Kinston musician and retired band director, advocated for recognition of the long and rich heritage of African American music in the area.
Staff of the North Carolina Arts Council began the process of identifying the musicians and venues important to this legacy. In addition, local arts councils organized community meetings to bring together musicians, arts supporters, educators and tourism promoters to discuss how the project should be implemented.
The pilot project began in Kinston as a partnership with the Community Council for the Arts, directed by Sandy Landis.
Research and Interviews
Field researchers found many more local musicians than they were able to interview. Historical records spotlighted the region’s strong music reputation.
Documentation
The Community Folklife Documentation Institute — a joint project of the North Carolina Folklife Institute, the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and the North Carolina Folklore Society — recorded community music activity. Photographers Titus Brooks Heagins and Cedric N. Chatterley captured the musicians in context.
Kinston Music Park Planning
Final work continues on the Kinston Music Park. The beautiful and colorful landmark art piece that celebrates the African American musical heritage of Kinston, Lenoir County and the eight-county region is complete and installed. Informative interpretive signs are in place and are augmented by in-depth material on this website. The landscape is growing, solar powered lighting installed, and colorful panels have been added to the park benches. We are continuing work on the final pieces of the park including music devices and the musical Scorewalk with an expected park dedication in 2015.
Guidebook
The field interviews, historical documents, photographs and travel information for visitors were compiled into the guidebook. The first printing, with an accompanying CD, of 3,500 copies in September 2013 was distributed to bookstores throughout the Southeast, and the arts councils in the region.
Education & Outreach
Documentary photographers Titus Brooks Heagins and Cedric N. Chatterley created travelling exhibitions. Rack cards promoting the website and guidebook were distributed in a series of launch events that featured musicians, and guidebook authors.
Events
Music venues and local arts councils in the region booked musicians and are creating more performance opportunities to highlight the African American traditions. The N.C. Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Programs in the Schools (TAPS) brings local musicians together with students to learn and perform.
Partners & Collaborators
The following arts councils have been instrumental in the launch and ongoing support of the African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina project: