Hugh Tracey
Encyclopedia
Hugh Tracey was an important twentieth century ethnomusicologist. He and his wife collected and archived music from Southern and Central Africa. He began making field recordings of music in the early 20's, through the 70's.
According to his grandson Devon, the Englishman arrived in South Africa in the 1920s and immediately became fascinated with the local culture. He was particularly interested in the Mbira
, an instrument found nowhere else in the world. In his efforts to spread awareness of the Africa’s vast musical heritage, he created an adaptation of the Mbira known as the Kalimba.
The Kalimba, which literally translates to “little music”, was designed so that it could be learned and appreciated internationally. Hugh created the Kalimba so that its melodies and harmonies would be more suited for the western tradition of music. Made from an African hardwood, with notes made out of European spring steel, the Kalimba is known for its tranquil and enchanting sounds.
Today, Kalimbas continue to be handcrafted in a family run workshop in Grahmstown, South Africa. They come in several different models: the treble and celeste treble (17 notes, 2+ octaves), the alto and TM alto (15 notes, 2 octaves), 11 note pentatonic kalimba, the African-tuned
karimba, and an 8-note beginner's kalimba.
Tracey founded The International Library of African Music
(ILAM) in 1954, and become its director. ILAM publishes the African Music Society Journal. Hugh's son Andrew Tracey
(see also IMDB) also became a well known ethnomusicologist specializing in African music. Another son, Paul, also became a musician and ethnomusicologist.
According to his grandson Devon, the Englishman arrived in South Africa in the 1920s and immediately became fascinated with the local culture. He was particularly interested in the Mbira
Mbira
In African music, the mbira is a musical instrument that consists of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached. It is often fitted into a resonator...
, an instrument found nowhere else in the world. In his efforts to spread awareness of the Africa’s vast musical heritage, he created an adaptation of the Mbira known as the Kalimba.
The Kalimba, which literally translates to “little music”, was designed so that it could be learned and appreciated internationally. Hugh created the Kalimba so that its melodies and harmonies would be more suited for the western tradition of music. Made from an African hardwood, with notes made out of European spring steel, the Kalimba is known for its tranquil and enchanting sounds.
Today, Kalimbas continue to be handcrafted in a family run workshop in Grahmstown, South Africa. They come in several different models: the treble and celeste treble (17 notes, 2+ octaves), the alto and TM alto (15 notes, 2 octaves), 11 note pentatonic kalimba, the African-tuned
karimba, and an 8-note beginner's kalimba.
Tracey founded The International Library of African Music
International Library of African Music
The International Library of African Music is an organization dedicated to the preservation and study of African music. It is seated in Grahamstown, South Africa and is closely affiliated with Rhodes University....
(ILAM) in 1954, and become its director. ILAM publishes the African Music Society Journal. Hugh's son Andrew Tracey
Andrew Tracey
Andrew Tracey, born 5 May 1936, Durban, South Africa,is a South African ethnomusicologist, promoter ofAfrican music,composer, folk singer, band leader, and actor...
(see also IMDB) also became a well known ethnomusicologist specializing in African music. Another son, Paul, also became a musician and ethnomusicologist.
See also
- International Library of African MusicInternational Library of African MusicThe International Library of African Music is an organization dedicated to the preservation and study of African music. It is seated in Grahamstown, South Africa and is closely affiliated with Rhodes University....
- Andrew TraceyAndrew TraceyAndrew Tracey, born 5 May 1936, Durban, South Africa,is a South African ethnomusicologist, promoter ofAfrican music,composer, folk singer, band leader, and actor...
- Paul BerlinerPaul BerlinerPaul Franklin Berliner is an American ethnomusicologist, best known for specializing in African music as well as jazz and other improvisational systems. He is best known for his popular ethnomusicology book on the Zimbabwean mbira, The Soul of Mbira: music and traditions of the Shona people of...
- Music of AfricaMusic of AfricaAfrica is a vast continent and its regions and nations have distinct musical traditions. The music of North Africa for the most part has a different history from sub-Saharan African music traditions....
- Music of ZimbabweMusic of ZimbabweZimbabwean music includes folk and pop styles, much of it based on the well-known instrument the mbira which is also popular in many other African countries. An annual Zimbabwe Music Festival is held each year in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. People from all over the world attend...
- Music of MozambiqueMusic of MozambiqueThe native folk music of Mozambique has been highly influenced by Portuguese forms. The most popular style of modern dance music is marrabenta. Mozambican music also influenced another Lusophone music in Brazil, like maxixe , and Cuban music like Mozambique.Culture was an integral part of the...
- Shona musicShona musicShona music is the music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. There are several different types of traditional Shona music including mbira, singing, hosho and drumming. Very often, this music will be accompanied by dancing, and participation by the audience...
- GravikordGravikordThe gravikord is an electric double bridge-harp invented by Robert Grawi in 1986.- Description :The gravikord is a new instrument developed on the basis of the West African kora. It is made of welded stainless steel tubing, with 24 nylon strings but no resonating gourd or skin. The bridge is made...
- Thumb pianoThumb pianoThe thumb piano is an African musical instrument, a type of plucked idiophone common throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.-Description:Each note of a kalimba, mbira, etc. is a separate idiophone, and in orchestral terms, the instrument as a whole belongs in the bar percussion family...
Recordings
- Musical instruments 2: (LP) Reeds (Mbira). (1972) The Music of Africa series. 1 LP disc. 33 1/3 rpm. mono. 12 in. Recorded by Hugh Tracey. Kaleidophone, KMA 2.
- 21 CDs recorded by Tracey were produced by ILAM- see the link for further information.
Selected publications
- Tracey, Hugh. (1961). The evolution of African music and its function in the present day. Johannesburg: Institute for the Study of Man in Africa.
- Tracey, Hugh. (1969). The Mbira class of African Instruments in Rhodesia. (1932). African Music Society Journal, 4:3, 78-95.
- Tracey, Hugh. (1948,1970). Chopi Musicians. London: Oxford University Press. SBN 19 724182 4. Describes the Timbila of Mozambique.
External links
- ILAM International Library of African Music
- Review of Tracey's work in ethnomusicology
- Kalimba Magic's interview with Andrew Tracey, which includes information about Hugh Tracey.