By Bill Holston – What do Bruce Springsteen, Mahalia Jackson, and John Coltrane all have in common? Well according to Dr. Hussein Rashid of Hofstra University each bear witness to the Islamic Contribution to American Music. This was the title of his lecture at my law school alma mater, Southern Methodist University.
The lecture was fascinating. Dr. Rashid began by discussing the fact that there several waves of Islamic/Arabic immigration to America. First, was the heartbreaking slave trade, which included Muslim Africans. He pointed out that they were not permitted to practice their faith and their ritual drums were prohibited, and thus began a tradition of music which have come down to us as “Negro Spirituals.” He played a brief clip of the Adhaan, the Mussein’s Call to Prayer, followed by Mahalia Jackson’s Amazing Grace. The Adhaan is based on the Arabic musical system with wavy intonation. The fluttering notes of Mahalia Jackson clearly reflect the chant of the Adhan, in a really surprising manner.
More: What Does Islamic Music Have to do With Blues, Jazz, and Surf Rock? More Than You Think. | FrontRow.
Ismailimail 