Othar Turner ....

The African American fife and drum tradition in north Mississippi stretches back to the 1800s and is often noted for its similarities to African music. 

Its best known exponent, Otha (or Othar) Turner (c. 1908-2003), presided over annual fife and drum picnics and goat roasts on his property in nearby Gravel Springs, and performed at numerous festivals. His music was featured in several documentaries as well as in Martin Scorsese’s film Gangs of New York.

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