Waterman Review

In Waterman’s review of African influence, he views “American negro” music to be composed of half European and half African styles. He stresses the differences between the two, focusing on African music and its lack of complex harmony, its dominance in percussion, and its call and response patterns. He connects the idea of jazz and freeform to West African music. He quotes, “We know, in general, the African sie of the equation,” which is to say that Waterman generalizes much in his ideas. His focus on West African tribal music is relevant, it points to the fact that the influences he speaks of come from a specific place, and that Africa cannot be generalized in the way he is doing.