Impressive in scope, depth, and scholarship, this three-volume encyclopedia is broader, more extensive, and more up-to-date than reference works that have come before, finding room in
particular for expansive coverage of contemporary music and thoughtful reexamination of connections with music of the past. It will serve as a rich source of information for high school through
graduate students, and for general readers, scholars, researchers, journalists, and music industry practitioners. Leading off the first volume is a detailed timeline of significant moments in
African American music, beginning with the slave trade in the period 1720-1865, and ending with 2010, when Haitian-born hip hop icon and human rights activist Wyclef Jean announced his
candidacy for president of Haiti. Following are 400-plus alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced entries of various types. Long entries on key topics such as Blues, Concert Music Composers,
Jazz, Rap Music, and others contain numerous subentries. Other types of entries include biographical sketches of important artists, and histories and profiles of geographical centers (e.g. New
Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit). Three appendices offer information about compositions by African American concert, jazz, and gospel composers; music videos; and archives and research
centers. Also included is a bibliography of resources and reference works, and another of genre specific works (1989-1910). Indexing is in the third volume. Executive editor Price (music and
African American studies, Northeastern U.) had the assistance two associate editors: Tammy L. Kernodle (musicology, Miami U.) and Horace J. Maxile (Center for Black Music Research, Columbia
College). Contributors are a mix of academics, musicians, and independent scholars. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
