Rap, a popular music that emerged in the United States during the 1980s and 90s, is described as a creation of young African American culture. It belongs to a centuries old legacy of using language creatively in everyday life. The roots of the music are seen as part of the African-American oral and musical traditions that encompass the hidden…

This beautifully photographed book accompanies the Wynton Marsalis Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) series on the introduction to the joy of music, both classical and jazz, for families, young people, and music-hungry readers of all ages. Divided into four chapters, the book corresponds to the four one-hour programs in the PBS series. Wynton…

This teacher's guide stresses the need for more singing in schools and cultural institutions. Cultural traditions "charge" songs with amazing energy. The charge comes from the sense of identity the song creates. When a song connects people emotionally with a culture, the deep-rooted traditions of that culture add meaning to the singing. Children…