Hugh Tracey

A Hugh Tracey treble Kalimba.

Hugh Tracey (1903–1977) 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 1920s, through the 1970s.

Early work

Hugh Tracey arrived in South Africa in the 1920s and immediately became fascinated with the local culture. He was particularly interested in the Mbira,^[1] 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 as “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 Grahamstown, 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.

International Library of African Music

Tracey founded the International Library of African Music (ILAM) in 1954, and became its director. ILAM publishes the African Music Society Journal. Hugh's son Andrew Tracey also became a well known ethnomusicologist specializing in African music. Another son, Paul, also became a musician and ethnomusicologist.

Recordings

• Musical instruments 2: (LP) Reeds (Mbira). (1972) The Music of Africa series. 1 LP disc. 33¹⁄₃ 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

1. The Evolution of African Music and its Function in the Present Day, Johannesburg: Institute for the Study of Man in Africa, 1961a
2. "The Mbira class of African Instruments in Rhodesia (1932)". African Music Society Journal 4 (3): 78–95. 1969.
3. Chopi musicians: their music, poetry, and instruments. London: Oxford University Press. 1970 [First published 1948,].^{[lower-alpha 1]}
4. African music research: transcription library of gramophone records : handbook for librarians. Gallo (Africa). 1961.
5. "Towards an Assessment of African Scales". African Music (International Library of African Music) 2 (1): 15–20. 1958. JSTOR 30249468. (subscription required (help)).
6. "A Case for the Name Mbira". African Music (International Library of African Music) 2 (4): 17–25. 1961b. JSTOR 30249527. (subscription required (help)).

See also

Notes

1. Describes the Timbila of Mozambique

1. Tracey 1961b.

References

• Jones, A. M. (1971). Africa and Indonesia the Evidence of the Xylophone and Other Musical and Cultural Factores. Brill Archive.
• Post, Jennifer (2013). Ethnomusicology: A Research and Information Guide. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-136-70518-2.
• Hudson, Mark (1999). "Hugh Tracey:Pioneer Archivist". In Simon Broughton, Mark Ellingham & Richard Trillo. World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-85828-635-8.
• Levine, Laurie (2005). The Drumcafé's Traditional Music of South Africa. Jacana Media. ISBN 978-1-77009-046-0.
• Thram, Diane Janell (2010). For Future Generations: Hugh Tracey and the International Library of African Music. International Library of African Music. ISBN 978-1-920355-96-8.
• "Hugh Traceys Portrait". International Library of African Music. Rhodes University.

External links

• African Musical Instruments
• 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.