This is in response to an article written about revision of The Historic Natchez Tableaux. I have trouble objectifying the mention of the Europeans getting together with African Americans creating what we call the Blues. Was that a concept or a fact?

The first Musical Conservatory was established in Valencia, Spain between 711 A.D. – 1477; done so by the Moors, who were a very advanced, intellectual culture coming from Africa into Europe. Europeans at that time were going through a dark age period.

With them came a knowledge of sciences and arts, which included music and instruments.

As dynasties and deities came and went, so came circumnavigation adventures. Slavery, oppression, genocide and total disregard took a life of its own.

Out of these tragedies came rebellions, revolutions, civil wars and the beginning of a Negro culture which included music and arts in may forms.

The music of choice at the time was old-time religious spirituals. Spirited by the many trails and tribulations bought on by simply trying to survive.

What instruments do you hear when the blues are played? The first guitar was used as a diffuser by African healers to open up the liquid systems in the body. It had four strings; later a fifth string was added to dissipate plasma which opened up the entire body to heal.

The piano was once handheld, but later was recreated by turning a harp sideways, adding keys and legs. Classical music was born.

It all started in Africa, later taken on the road. The reconstruction period had many styles forming. A swag, undeniably only an African American possesses was seen in our music; the blues has our swag deeply embedded.

If it’s a concept, I get it. It’s simply saying we all came from a basic need to sit down at a piano, or to pluck a guitar and express history that has brought us through a deep and blue dark age.

Lillian Harris

Natchez