Traditional

=Traditional Music in Asian American Communities=



The umbrella term “Asian American” as applied to music may attempt to unite all forms of music stemming from Asian Americans into one category, but traditional styles of music from many different regions have influenced what Asian American music is today. These different traditions over the years have crossed boundaries and come together. The traditions have provided influences in some musical techniques and instruments and become popular, as in the case of Taiko. These styles differ in many ways, and have come together to form unique musical communities in Asian American niches such as Chinatown. This combination of traditional and modern flavors has created extraordinary blended musical cultures within these communities.

= TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN CHINATOWN =

Among the various "Chinatown" communities in the United States, almost all are located within urban areas, such as New York City and San Francisco and other multiethnic areas in the country. Most citizens residing in areas take great pride in preserving their roots despite their dis-location in mainstream urban America. From food, to rituals, and music, these communities have become hubs for sustaining incorporation of traditional aspects as a way of everyday life. Chinese Opera has proved extremely popular in China for centuries, consisting of various styles influenced by location, from Northern, to Southern and everywhere in between. In traditional Chinese culture, the Beijing style of opera is most popular, and the love for Beijing opera has carried over into Chinatown. During the 1920's, a love for Chinese opera swept through New York's Chinatown. This reinvigorated the tradition and bringing it closer to the forefront in modern Asian American culture. While often proving to be an exclusive activity in China, Chinese opera performances in Chinatown welcome people from all backgrounds, in hopes of retaining roots among all types of citizens.

Chinese Folk Music


Commonly played using traditional flute and wind instruments along with percussion ensembles, Chinese Folk music has always played an important role in China during ceremonies su ch as weddings, birthdays, and funerals. The small folk ensembles often play instrumental music only, but are often accompanied by a singer, often a female. These traditional Chinese ballads have become well-loved and well-known by the Chinese, and have also found some popularity among Western listeners. Those residing in Chinatown keep these folk ballads close to heart, and still wish to use the traditional songs to celebrate marriage, or mourn in death. Residents in San Francisco's Chinatown strive to keep the funeral band tradition alive, but have incorporated traditional elements with new Western influences. While most funeral bands these days are comprised of brass variations of the traditional ballads, the connection between music and death procession has remained close to the hearts of Chinatown citizens.

[|ABC News: Funeral Band Keep Chinatown Tradition Alive]

= MODERN MUSIC IN CHINAT **OWN** = ** From rock and alternative music, to hip-hop and rap, ** the new face of "Asian American" music in Chinatown has brought a whole new wave of culture to these communities. While most residents of Chinatown possess a passion for keeping tradition alive with participation and support of traditional ensembles, love for modern "Asian American" bands has spread through Chinatown like wildfire. Development of many concert venues in Chinatown, as well as the organization of music festivals has allowed these modern bands to being making a name for themselves among the Asian American community, as well as among the rest of the country. On August 11, 2007, the Asian American Arts Alliance (AAAA) put on a concert for Asian American rock bands in downtown Chinatown, NYC. Performers ranged from the traditional Chinese Music Ensemble, to solo artists such as Bora Yoon and Abstract Vision, a Pakistani-American rapper. The event was a great success, and sparked an interest in this modern music for many in Chinatown who had never been exposed to music other than in its traditional form. = =  As one of the only modern bands founded and formed in New York City's Chinatown, Notorious MSG is comprised of three Chinese rappers, whose songs detail their beginnings on the street followed by their journey to fame within the industry. Feeling that the NYC Chinatown needed a group of rappers to call their own, the boys of names such as Hong Kong Fever, Down-Lo Main, and The Hunan Bomb met in the kitchen of a restaurant where they worked, and began writing songs and performing together. The band began performing publicly in 2003. Music categorized as "traditional Asian American" :
 * http://www.last.fm/tag/traditional%20asian%20music
 * http://www.asianclassicalmp3.org/

Other sources of interest:
 * Lam, Joseph S.C. "Embracing 'Asian American Music' as a Heuristic Device". //Journal of Asian American//

//Studies.// 2.1. 1999: 29-60.
 * http://sitemaker.umich.edu/asianamericanmusic/traditional_music