79-year
old James Brewster, the central character of this documentary, is an
uncompromising, humorous, and provocative musician known for his
playful compositions and lively performances and is the legendary “King
of Scratch”
This engaging documentary includes
performances by Jamesie and the All-Stars at a St. Croix nightclub; an
agricultural fair on St. Croix; the World Music Festival and the Old
Town School of Folk Music in Chicago; the Lotus Music Festival in
Bloomington, Indiana; jamming with his friends; and performing and
teaching in Denmark. Interspersed with these performances is more
intimate footage of Jamesie talking with other musicians about the
historical significance of the music and explaining how he came to
create some of his songs and footage at his home revealing his more
personal side . The documentary celebrates Scratch band music and one
of it's most legendary performers. It provides a unique opportunity to
view up close and personal the US Virgin Islands' deep-rooted musical
tradition .
Project Significance:
While the US Virgin Islands are an extremely popular
tourist destination, few tourists know of the rich cultural traditions
of the people native to the islands . With virtually no representation
in the popular media, the deep roots and cultural traditions of the
Virgin Islands are either unknown or are considered only as a form of
light entertainment. Instead, most tourists hear nicely packaged and
easily digestible sounds while dining beachside at their comfortable
resorts.
The rich musical style of Quelbe is a testimony to the oral tradition
of the Caribbean people. The music and lyrics have long served to
reinforce a sense of community, identity and history. Using song as a
way to tell their stories, the Virgin Islanders passed on the stories
of important events in their lives. The music provides a fine example
of the complex textural mixture of African, European and Amerindian
cultures, all of which have left their mark on these Caribbean islands.
North American culture is quickly taking over the islands, leaving folk
traditions such as Quelbe marginalized and changing form rapidly. As
younger generations of Virgin Islanders lose interest in their native
culture and Quelbe musicians get older, it is urgent that the
historically significant form of Quelbe music be documented. While
several Quelbe CDs have been recorded, knowledge of the Virgin Island's
folkloric musical traditions is not widely known among the American
public. The literature on this music is scarce; most of the recorded
oral histories (collected in the 1970's) are housed solely in a library
on St. Thomas . There is no comprehensive video documentation of Quelbe
and its major figures. The Virgin Islander's rich cultural heritage is
crucial to the understanding of the settling of the Americas and
deserves the attention this documentary provides.
A
study-guide and DVD chapters to accompany the documentary will be
developed to be used for educational purposes. Copies of all unedited
footage and transcriptions are currently in the Center for Black Music
Archives in Chicago. Contact: www.colum.edu/cbmr/
for more information. These archives will facilitate cultural
preservation and opportunities for further research. Funds are being
sought to duplicate all archival materials and place them in the
University of the Virgin Islands library.