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Yr Athro Amanda Villepastour
PhD
Athro
- Sylwebydd y cyfryngau
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwyg
Overview
While I have wide interests in the music of Africa, my research interests are concentrated on Yorùbá music in Nigeria and Afro-Cuban religious music and their transatlantic connections. In particular, I have researched Nigerian and Cuban bàtá drumming of the Yorùbá deities, the orishas. Of particular interest to me is the relationship between language and music, including speech surrogacy in drumming and the technicalities of speech tone in song melody. My broader research interests include gender and music and organology.
Until the mid-1990s, I was a keyboardist in the popular music industry, writing, recording and touring with British artists including Boy George, Billy Bragg and The Gang of Four. Coming from this performance background, I have set up the first world music ensembles in MUSIC, Lanyi (West African Mandé music) and Nogo Abang (Javanese gamelan).
Cyhoeddiad
2021
- Villepastour, A. V. 2021. The legacy of Ortiz’s Yorubization of Lucumí: translation as transculturation. HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 11(1), pp. 153-173. (10.1086/714380)
2019
- Villepastour, A. 2019. The Cuban lexicon Lucumí and African language Yorùbá: musical and historical connections. In: Brunn, S. D. and Kehrein, R. eds. Handbook of the Changing World Language Map., Vol. 4. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 2575-2602., (10.1007/978-3-030-02438-3_183)
2017
- Villepastour, A. 2017. Speaking with the body in Nigerian and Cuban Orisha music: musical movements in song, dance and trance.. In: Post, J. C. ed. Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader, Volume II., Vol. 2. Abingdon and New York: Routledge
- Villepastour, A. and Bran, L. 2017. Transmisión en la Eritá Meta: Ilú Keké,. [CD]. 15 July 2017.
- Villepastour, A. 2017. Two heads of the same drum? Musical narratives within a transatlantic religion. In: Kenney, E. T., Salenius, S. and Womack Smith, W. eds. Race and Transatlantic Identities. Routledge, pp. 56-75.
- Villepastour, A. and Bran, L. 2017. Transmisión en la Eritá Meta. Music Works NYC.
2015
- Villepastour, A. 2015. Anthropomorphizing Ayan in transatlantic gender narratives. In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 125-146.
- Villepastour, A. 2015. "Orin Ibeji": (songs for the twins): sounding the sacred twins of the Yorùbá. In: Harris, R. and Pease, R. eds. Pieces of the Musical World: Sounds and Cultures. Routledge, pp. 169-188.
- Ayangbekun, K. and Villepastour, A. 2015. Divining Ayan: an Orisa priest from Ogbomoso speaks. In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 51-73.
- Villepastour, A. 2015. Introduction: Asoro Igi (Wood That Talks). In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 3-32.
- Villepastour, A. ed. 2015. The Yorùbá god of drumming: Transatlantic perspectives on the wood that talks. University Press of Mississippi.
2014
- Villepastour, A. 2014. Talking tones and singing speech among the Yorùbá of Southwest Nigeria. Jahrbuch des Phonogrammarchivs der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 44, pp. 29-47.
- Villepastour, A. 2014. Afro-Cuban music: a bibliographic guide by John Gray [Book Review]. Latin American Music Review 35(2), pp. 315-318.
2013
- Villepastour, A. 2013. Amelia Pedroso: The voice of a Cuban priestess leading from the inside. In: Hellier, R. ed. Women Singers in Global Contexts: Music, Biography, Identity. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, pp. 54-72.
2012
- Villepastour, A. 2012. Theory of African Music by Gerhard Kubik [Book Review]. Ethnomusicology 56(2), pp. 334-340. (10.5406/ethnomusicology.56.2.0334)
2010
- Villepastour, A. 2010. Ancient text messages of the Yorùbá bàtá drum : cracking the code. SOAS Musicology Series. Farnham: Ashgate.
2009
- Villepastour, A. 2009. Two heads of the same drum? Musical narratives within a transatlantic religion. Journal of Transatlantic Studies 7(3), pp. 343-362. (10.1080/14794010903069185)
- Villepastour, A. 2009. Fiddling in West Africa: Touching the spirit in Fulbe, Hausa, and Dagbamba cultures [Book Review]. Notes 66(2), pp. 284-286.
Articles
- Villepastour, A. V. 2021. The legacy of Ortiz’s Yorubization of Lucumí: translation as transculturation. HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 11(1), pp. 153-173. (10.1086/714380)
- Villepastour, A. 2014. Talking tones and singing speech among the Yorùbá of Southwest Nigeria. Jahrbuch des Phonogrammarchivs der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 44, pp. 29-47.
- Villepastour, A. 2014. Afro-Cuban music: a bibliographic guide by John Gray [Book Review]. Latin American Music Review 35(2), pp. 315-318.
- Villepastour, A. 2012. Theory of African Music by Gerhard Kubik [Book Review]. Ethnomusicology 56(2), pp. 334-340. (10.5406/ethnomusicology.56.2.0334)
- Villepastour, A. 2009. Two heads of the same drum? Musical narratives within a transatlantic religion. Journal of Transatlantic Studies 7(3), pp. 343-362. (10.1080/14794010903069185)
- Villepastour, A. 2009. Fiddling in West Africa: Touching the spirit in Fulbe, Hausa, and Dagbamba cultures [Book Review]. Notes 66(2), pp. 284-286.
Audio
- Villepastour, A. and Bran, L. 2017. Transmisión en la Eritá Meta: Ilú Keké,. [CD]. 15 July 2017.
Book sections
- Villepastour, A. 2019. The Cuban lexicon Lucumí and African language Yorùbá: musical and historical connections. In: Brunn, S. D. and Kehrein, R. eds. Handbook of the Changing World Language Map., Vol. 4. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 2575-2602., (10.1007/978-3-030-02438-3_183)
- Villepastour, A. 2017. Speaking with the body in Nigerian and Cuban Orisha music: musical movements in song, dance and trance.. In: Post, J. C. ed. Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader, Volume II., Vol. 2. Abingdon and New York: Routledge
- Villepastour, A. 2017. Two heads of the same drum? Musical narratives within a transatlantic religion. In: Kenney, E. T., Salenius, S. and Womack Smith, W. eds. Race and Transatlantic Identities. Routledge, pp. 56-75.
- Villepastour, A. 2015. Anthropomorphizing Ayan in transatlantic gender narratives. In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 125-146.
- Villepastour, A. 2015. "Orin Ibeji": (songs for the twins): sounding the sacred twins of the Yorùbá. In: Harris, R. and Pease, R. eds. Pieces of the Musical World: Sounds and Cultures. Routledge, pp. 169-188.
- Ayangbekun, K. and Villepastour, A. 2015. Divining Ayan: an Orisa priest from Ogbomoso speaks. In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 51-73.
- Villepastour, A. 2015. Introduction: Asoro Igi (Wood That Talks). In: Villepastour, A. ed. The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks. University Press of Mississippi, pp. 3-32.
- Villepastour, A. 2013. Amelia Pedroso: The voice of a Cuban priestess leading from the inside. In: Hellier, R. ed. Women Singers in Global Contexts: Music, Biography, Identity. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, pp. 54-72.
Books
- Villepastour, A. ed. 2015. The Yorùbá god of drumming: Transatlantic perspectives on the wood that talks. University Press of Mississippi.
- Villepastour, A. 2010. Ancient text messages of the Yorùbá bàtá drum : cracking the code. SOAS Musicology Series. Farnham: Ashgate.
Other
- Villepastour, A. and Bran, L. 2017. Transmisión en la Eritá Meta. Music Works NYC.
Ymchwil
Research interests
I have travelled widely in Africa, but my research interests are concentrated on music of the Yorùbá people in southwest Nigeria and their distant relatives since the transatlantic slave trade in Cuban. My primary interest is the music of the dieties of pre-Islamic and pre-Christian spirituality called the orishas. At the heart of this research is the bata drums, which have parallel traditions in Nigeria and Cuba, and how these drums communicate with talking drum technologies. I am also interested in how the tonal language, Yoruba, is set to song, and how this sacred repertoire manifests in Cuba, where devotees no longer speak the language.
Current Projects
Employing a British Academy/Leverhulme grant, my current research project is an impact study in Matanzas, Cuba. My research about the provenance of a little-known drum ensemble called Ilú Keké has facilitated the first production company in the town, Sendero Music. With Sendero Director, Luis Bran, I co-produced Sendero's first commercial release with scholarly liner notes. See:
http://pressjunkiepr.com/clients/ilu-keke/
I have also been conducting research about Cuban influences in Reunionaise maloya music.
Addysgu
I am currently supervising PhD candidates researching drumming and gender in Cuba and the kamelengoni harp in Burkina Faso.
At postgraduate level, I teach Doing Ethnomusicology (a methods and theory module) and The World of Music (regional studies through theoretical themes).
I also teach on the undergraduate ethnomusicology courses Music in Human Life, Music in Cross-Cultural Perspective and Ethnomusicology Project.
I advise postgraduate and undergraduate dissertation students.
I am the academic advisor for Lanyi (West African Mandé Ensemble) and Nogo Abang (Javanese Gamelan Ensemble)
Bywgraffiad
Addysg
- 2006: PhD (Ethnomusicology) Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain
- 1998: MMus (Ethnomusicology) Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain
- 1997 Tystysgrif mewn Addysgu Cerddoriaeth i Oedolion (Goldsmiths, Prifysgol Llundain)
- 1981 BMus (Cyfansoddiad) Prifysgol Gorllewin Awstralia
Trosolwg gyrfa
- 2011-presennol: Ysgol Cerddoriaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
- 2008-2010: Curadur Affrica ac America Ladin, Amgueddfa Offerynnau Cerdd (MIM), Phoenix Arizona, UDA
- 2007-2008: Hyfforddwr Ethnogerddoleg/Cyfarwyddwr Ensemble Affro-Caribïaidd, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, UDA
- 2008: Cymrawd Ymchwil, Sefydliad Smithsonian, Washington DC, UDA
- 2007: Cymrawd Ymchwil, Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain
- 2001-2008: Cyfarwyddwr Cwrs Tystysgrif mewn Addysgu Cerddoriaeth i Oedolion, Goldsmiths, Prifysgol Llundain
- Gyrfa flaenorol fel perfformiwr cerddoriaeth poblogaidd, cerddor stiwdio, trefnydd a chyfansoddwr caneuon.
Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau
Honours
- 2016: Commendation for The Yorùbá God of Drumming: Transatlantic Perspectives on the Wood That Talks, British Forum for Ethnomusicology Book Prize
Academic Leadership
- 2015-present: Chair, Study Group for African Music (UK Branch), International Council for Traditional Music
- 2015-present: Vice-Chair, Study Group for African Music (Central Group), International Council for Traditional Music
- 2012-2015: Chair, British Forum for Ethnomusicology
Grants
- 2016: ESRC Initiator Grant for Cuban Impact Study
- 2012: British Academy/Leverhulme Grant for research on batá drumming in Cuba
- 2008: Smithsonian Institution Fellowship (The Latino Centre) for a research on female musicians in Afrocuban religious music in the USA
- 2007: AHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London to research the linguistic structures of Nigerian bàtá drumming
- 2003: Central Research Fund, University of London, PhD Fieldwork Award
- 2002: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, PhD Fieldwork Award
- 2001: Central Research Fund, University of London, PhD Fieldwork Award
- 2000-2005: Arts and Humanities Research Board (now the AHRC) PhD Scholarship
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
- Cyngor Rhyngwladol Cerddoriaeth Draddodiadol
- Sefydliad Anthropolegol Brenhinol (cymar)
- Cymdeithas Ethnomusicology
- British Forum for Ethnomusicology
Safleoedd academaidd blaenorol
- 2011-presennol: Uwch Ddarlithydd, Ysgol Cerddoriaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
- 2008-2010: Curadur Affrica ac America Ladin, Amgueddfa Offerynnau Cerdd (MIM), Phoenix Arizona, UDA
- 2007-2008: Hyfforddwr Ethnogerddoleg/Cyfarwyddwr Ensemble Affro-Caribïaidd, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, UDA
- 2008: Cymrawd Ymchwil, Sefydliad Smithsonian, Washington DC, UDA
- 2007: Cymrawd Ymchwil, Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain
- 2001-2008: Cyfarwyddwr Cwrs Tystysgrif mewn Addysgu Cerddoriaeth i Oedolion, Goldsmiths, Prifysgol Llundain
Pwyllgorau ac adolygu
Pwyllgorau Prifysgol Caerdydd
- 2014-presennol: Grŵp Llywio ar gyfer datblygu Cydweithio gydag Amgueddfa Cymru/Amgueddfa Cymru
- 2014-presennol: Gweithgor MA Treftadaeth (Datblygu MA ar y cyd gyda CU a NMW.)
- 2014-2017: Aelod Bwrdd Prosiect Phoenix, Prifysgol Caerdydd. (Prosiect datblygu mewn partneriaeth â Phrifysgol Namibia.)
Cymdeithasau Pwnc
- 2013-presennol: Pwyllgor Ethnogerddoleg y Sefydliad Anthropolegol Brenhinol (sefydlwr)
- 2015-presennol: Grŵp Astudio ar gyfer Cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd (Grŵp Canolog) Cyngor Rhyngwladol Cerddoriaeth Draddodiadol
- 2015-presennol: Grŵp Astudio Cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd (Cangen y DU) Cyngor Rhyngwladol Cerddoriaeth Draddodiadol (Cadeirydd sefydlu)
- 2011-2016: Fforwm Prydain ar gyfer Ethnomusicology
- 2012-15: Research Consortium-UK (sefydlwr).
Sefydliad y Gynhadledd
- 2017: Grŵp Astudio Cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd, Diwrnod Astudio cangen y DU (TGCh). "Ffilmio cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd ." Prifysgol Bath Spa.
- 2016: Grŵp Astudio Cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd, Diwrnod Astudio cangen y DU (TGCh), Seneddate House, Prifysgol Llundain
- 2015: Cynhadledd flynyddol Fforwm Ethnomusicology Prydain ar y cyd â Société française d'ethnomusicologie, Quai Branley, Paris.
- 2014: Cynhadledd flynyddol Fforwm Prydain ar gyfer Ethnogerddoleg ar y cyd â Dulliau Dadansoddol i Gerddoriaeth y Byd, Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain.
- 2013: Cynhadledd flynyddol Fforwm Ethnogerddoleg Prydain ar y cyd ag ICTM Ireland, Prifysgol Queens, Belfast.
- 2013: Cynhadledd undydd British Forum for Ethnomusicology "Music around the Atlantic Rim" Yr Ysgol Cerddoriaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd.
- 2013: Cynhadledd flynyddol Cymdeithas Ethnomusicology, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Pwyllgorau Gwobr
- 2015: Society for Ethnomusicology, Gwobr Nettl am gyhoeddi mewn ethnogerddoleg.
- 2013: Fforwm Prydain ar gyfer Ethnogerddoleg, Papur Myfyrwyr Gorau mewn cynhadledd flynyddol.
Meysydd goruchwyliaeth
- Cerddoriaeth Yoruba yn Nigeria a Cuba
- Cerddoriaeth Affricanaidd
- Batá
- Drymio
- Cerddoriaeth ac Iaith
- Surrogacy lleferydd
- Cerddoriaeth Maloya yn Reunión
Contact Details
VillepastourAV@caerdydd.ac.uk
+44 29208 76226
33-37 Heol Corbett, Ystafell Ystafell 2.03, Cathays, Caerdydd, CF10 3EB
+44 29208 76226
33-37 Heol Corbett, Ystafell Ystafell 2.03, Cathays, Caerdydd, CF10 3EB