American Composer Zenobia Powell Perry: Race and Gender in the 20th Century

By Jeannie Gayle Pool and Jeannie Gayle

Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-1993) was a composer whose life provides insight to a special time in the 1920s and '30s when black American composers were finally being recognized for their unique contributions to the country's music. Born in Boley, Oklahoma to a black father and a black Creek Indian mother, Zenobia was influenced by both black American and native American folklore, music, language, and poetry. In American Composer Zenobia Powell Perry: Race and Gender in the 20th Century, Jeannie Gayle Pool examines the life of this talented individual who faced tremendous challenges as a female, as an African American, and as a woman of mixed heritage. Based on interviews conducted by the author, as well as Perry's personal papers, correspondence, and scores, Pool provides a rich portrait of this unique composer. Pool also provides an analysis of Perry's musical style, a chronology, a complete list of works, and several appendixes. Raising many complex and unresolved issues related to American blacks with Native American heritage, Perry's life story bears witness to a century in which tremendous strides were made toward equality for all.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810863766
• ISBN13: 9780810863767
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.0"