"Que vivio tiene la gente aqui en Nueva York" [electronic resource] : Music and community in Puerto Rican New York, 1915-1940.

1991

1 online resource (466 p.)

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Most historical studies of United States ethnic groups portray them as living in homogeneous communities and sharing an unquestioned social identity and cultural repertoire. This dissertation tries to show the heterogeneous nature of an ethnic community and its members, as well as their varied and changing perceptions of their own ethnicity. A social history of Puerto Rican musicians and their audiences in New York City between World War I and World War II, it explores the concrete and symbolic aspects of ethnic musical production, distribution and reception within the context of both a migrant community and a powerful North American industry. Based on interviews, ethnic record catalogs, recording ledgers and other archival and secondary materials, the chapters narrate and analyze conditions for musicians on the island and their reasons for migrating, entertainment for Spanish-speakers in New York in the post-World War I era, live and recording opportunities for black and white Puerto Rican musicians working within ensembles made up of compatriots as well as mingling with members of other ethnic groups, and the simultaneous commercialization and folklorization of a variety of musical genres. Interspersed with the narrative are portraits of musicians such as Rafael Hernandez, Augusto Coen, and Manuel "Canario" Jimenez, and discussion of their lyrics and music.

Books / Online / Dissertations & Theses

English

July 12, 2011

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Yale University, 1991.

Yale University.