Phil Jamison 2 - African influences on American square dance
Channel: Square Dance Interviews
Date: 2016-05-18

Phil Jamison discusses his research into the origins of American square dance in the south, and describes the key role that African-American musicians played . There are the well-known musical elements—the role of the banjo, for example—and Phil also points out that the first callers were African-American. Even some distinctive square dance features such as Birdie in the Cage may have African roots.

Recorded November 18, 2011, at the Dare To Be Square dance weekend, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC. Interview conducted by David Millstone and videotaped by John-Michael Seng-Wheeler, with financial support provided by Country Dance and Song Society. This documentation is part of the Square Dance History Project. Dance videos from the weekend:
     https://www.youtube.com/user/SquareDanceHistory
     http://squaredancehistory.vidcaster.com