The new book on Black women in music by JWAM Professor Alexis McGee, From Blues to Beyoncé, was a big hit at an event at the University of British Columbia to celebrate its publication.
From Blues to Beyoncé: A Century of Black Women’s Generational Sonic Rhetorics explores how Black women have continually used sound to convey stories and forge community across generations.
By examining recordings, music videos, autobiographical writings, and speeches, Dr. McGee explores how figures such as Ida B. Wells, Billie Holiday, Ruth Brown, Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Janelle Monáe, and more mobilize sound to challenge anti-Black discourses and extend social justice pedagogies.
All available copies of the book were purchased during the launch event, making it one of UBC bookstore’s most successful book launches.
“From the kind words of support my colleagues shared, to the warm welcome and reception of my book, to the beautiful view of the spring tulips in full bloom and quiet pond that served as the backdrop for the late afternoon event--the book launch was indeed a joyous occasion”
The event, held on May 9 at the Ideas Lounge in UBC, was catered by Sage Bistro and attended by JWAM faculty, staff, and friends who raised a glass to Dr. McGee’s achievement. Calling it a “magical night”, Dr. McGee thanked JWAM for its support and appreciation of her work, and for organizing the book launch.
“From the kind words of support my colleagues shared, to the warm welcome and reception of my book, to the beautiful view of the spring tulips in full bloom and quiet pond that served as the backdrop for the late afternoon event–the book launch was indeed a joyous occasion”, she said.
She also read excerpts from the book’s Preface and signed copies purchased at the event.
In his remarks, JWAM Director, Dr. Kamal Al-Solaylee, called the book an “essential and necessary reading for everyone who’s interested in the stories, the creative and liberatory histories of Black women – their expressive and rhetorical lives – as well as the shifting but persistent nature of anti-Black racism.”
He praised Dr. McGee’s contributions inside and outside the classroom – especially her help with building the Writing, Research, and Discourse Studies (WRDS) unit in JWAM as it launches a new slew of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Alexis McGee, author of From Blues to Beyoncé
“The historical and textual analysis in the book is something to behold and admire but I would be remiss if I don’t also touch on its creativity, its integration of Alexis’s own story as a young woman of intersectional identities growing up in the south and travelling north to be with her grandmother.”
Even though WRDS Chair Dr. Rebecca Carruthers Den Hoed was unable to attend the event, she shared her thoughts in writing. Thanking Dr. McGee for challenging her readers to see and recognize disruptive practices wherever they are operational, she said, “[Dr. McGee’s] work embodies much of what we aspire to in WRDS, and I hope today’s event amplifies your voice and your contribution to our School, at UBC, and beyond.”
She added, “I picked up this book to explore and honour the work of an admired colleague; I read through to the end to learn and to reflect on my own practice and perspective.”
From Blues to Beyoncé is available to purchase from UBC Bookstore.
Photos by Ritwik Bhattacharjee
