Music is a great storyteller. Through written words, a story is told, of course. But, the story set to music also comes alive in all of us with the emotions the music evokes. Hearing a particular song can cause one to smile, cry, laugh, and/or feel comfort, pain, relaxation, or any other sentiment. And, in African American history, music has always been a storyteller for the messages and information music communicates. Slaves escaping the plantation often used the guise of music to send encrypted messages to each other. This is why music is so important to the African American culture and any culture in the world.

With music serving such an important purpose, it is amazing how many people still truly don’t appreciate music for all its worth. This lack of admiration of African American music led then President Jimmy Carter to declare June as Black Music Month 39 years ago. Following that presidential proclamation, the House of Representatives with House Resolution 509 approved an official presidential order. The month’s name officially changed in 2009 when then President Barack Obama confirmed June as African American Music Appreciation Month.

“I think Black music is a way to tie the Black people of our country to their own ancestors and to tie the United States to other nations of the world,” said President Carter in 1979 at a White House Dinner honoring the Black Music Association. “In many ways, you've expressed the hopes of our country—life, even when slavery was characteristic of Black people, liberty and a struggle for it when it seemed to escape generation after generation of struggling people. And no one can doubt that Black music has always exemplified the pursuit of happiness.”

President Obama expounded on the significance of African American Music Appreciation Month, “Amidst the injustice of slavery, African Americans lifted their voices to the heavens through spirituals. This religious music united African Americans and helped sustain them through one of the darkest periods in our Nation’s history. Years later, spirituals contributed to the advent of a new form of music: Gospel. Both styles incorporated elements of African music and were rooted in faith.” He continued, “The African-American music tradition also reflects creativity and individualism. Blues, jazz, soul, and rock and roll synthesize various musical traditions to create altogether new sounds.”

A new spotlight brings new fans. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is hoping to draw new fans of African American music with a new initiative that she introduced last year. As head of the newly formed Congressional Jazz Caucus, Congresswoman Lee introduced House Resolution 4626 to "preserve knowledge and promote education about jazz in the United States and abroad." The National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2017 would allow two million dollars to be set aside annually specifically for the preservation of the history of jazz music. This recognition grew out as a result of the work of Rep. John Conyers, who is a longtime jazz advocate and author of House Resolution 57.

"I think there is a misunderstanding and a lack of appreciation of jazz," said Congresswoman Lee. "This story needs to be told. Jazz needs to be held up as individuals who create music, write music, play music."

My own appreciation for African American music originates in my roots in faith. Growing up in a historic Black Baptist church, a Sunday service was not right unless it started with one of the deacons of the church leading worshippers in a rendition of an old Negro Spiritual with just a foot tap, a handclap and a good moan without music accompaniment. Something about that old school sound just stirs a soul.

Gospel music evokes a similar sensation for Houstonian Clarice Gatlin. Gatlin, a professional vocalist, is undoubtedly one of Houston’s greatest internationally renowned voices. She, too, has had a love affair with music from a very young age. Her music appreciation started when she just four-years-old, singing in the cherub choir at her home church in Fort Worth, Texas. She was barely tall enough to see over the railing in the choir stand. Her appreciation grew, as she did when she began taking music lessons from her aunt at age eight. Continuing into her teens, Gatlin’s music appreciation grew to an understanding of the art form as she played for the youth choir and accompanied the choir as they sung Gospel, hymns, and anthems.

Gatlin was not one who simply liked music. No, she had a true passion for it that caused her to make it the focus of her life’s work. “I majored in music, piano emphasis, at Texas Southern University (TSU). There I was exposed to and taught to sing and play classical music. God gave me a gift to sing this style of music, even though I have some gospel songs in my repertoire.”

From the tiger walk at TSU to the halls at Indiana University, Gatlin continued her study of music with the late great voice teacher Ruthabel Rollins. She returned to Houston to start her journey of sharing her gift with the world. First, Gatlin was a distinct voice in the world acclaimed Houston Symphony where her operatic soprano sound was unmistakable. Gatlin also has a long history with the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, singing music of Black composers, and is presently performing with the Houston Camerata under conductor Paulo Gomes. Hearing just one octave of her broad range can send fans of Gatlin to lift their hands in praise to God, leap to their feet in admiration of her gift, and just be in awe of her natural talent.

In as much as people appreciate her gift, Gatlin is ensuring that music appreciation lives on in generations that follow her. She does this by teaching children to play the piano. “As a piano teacher, I train students in piano pedagogy. Assessing first if students like to play, and thus proper posture, finger position, discipline, and instruction follow. I also introduce them to all styles of music, and that we strive for excellence in performance as we prepare for annual recitals,” said Gatlin. I can attest to those teachings as I, along with my mother, were two who were fortunate enough to be students under Gatlin’s tutelage.

Whether singing, teaching, or playing music, Gatlin recognizes that her talent for music is a gift from God, which strengthens her appreciation for it. “When executed well, with great musicianship, all styles, whether gospel, classical, jazz, etc. can be appreciated to the glory of God!” exclaimed Gatlin. “The music that calms, relaxes, relieves stress, makes you happy, makes you want to dance, and stirs your soul is what your passion should embrace!!!”