Last semester, ethnomusicologist Trevor Harvey played a critical role in coordinating Esteban and the Children of the Sun, a multimedia performance envisioned and composed by former Director of Jazz Studies at Iowa, John Rapson, who passed away in July 2021.
This intensely collaborative endeavor brought together local musicians, far-flung friends, faculty, students, and Iowa alumni to explore through performance the astonishing life of Esteban de Azemmour, an African man who journeyed across North America in the sixteenth century.
We invite you to learn more about the significance of this project
And hear from Dr. Harvey in the Daily Iowan short documentary, which features John Rapson, family members, and fellow musicians (Daily Iowan mini-doc on John Rapson and Esteban and the Children of the Sun). And although the performance took place months ago, Dr. Harvey’s work on the project continues as he helps direct efforts to share this work more broadly through an in-development film.
For more on Esteban, check out:
- Jennifer New’s article on the project for the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies.
- Daneil Boscaljon’s article for the Little Village Magazine.
- Delaney Orewiler’s article for the Daily Iowan.