Music historian Christopher Wilkinson '68 has broken new ground in his research on the history of musical life of black West Virginians from 1930 to the beginning of World War II. Wilkinson has been awarded one of this year's two Benedum Distinguished Scholar awards, the premier research honor at West Virginia University. "This year's recipients meet the high standard that has been established during the many years of this program," said C. B. Wilson, associate provost for academic personnel.
Wilkinson specializes in the history of African-American music, particularly jazz as well as the history of art music from a multicultural perspective. The Chicago, Ill., native joined WVU as an instructor in 1976. He was named professor in 2001.
Originally, Wilkinson focused his research upon 17th century Italian sacred music, the area of his doctoral research. His focus shifted to 20th century American art music, investigating among other topics the creative process of composer George Crumb, a West Virginia native.
In 1988, he turned to jazz history, eventually reconstructing the career of Don Albert, leader of "The World's Greatest Jazz Band." In 2001, his biographical study of Albert - "Jazz on the Road: Don Albert's Musical Life" - was published. "This is an extraordinary honor. I am gratified my work has received such praise," Wilkinson said.
Currently, Wilkinson is researching the musical culture of big band jazz and dance music in the African-American communities of the West Virginia coal fields during the Great Depression. The study will conclude with a monograph tentatively titled "Truckin' on Down in the Mountain State: Big Band Jazz in Black West Virginia." Professor Wilkinson received his master's degree and doctorate from Rutgers University. He has published several articles and his research has been supported by a Summer Stipend and Travel-to-Collections Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities; fellowships and media grants from the West Virginia Humanities Council an development and research grants from WVU.
The Benedum and Distinguished Professors of WVU established the Benedum Distinguished Scholar Awards in 1985-86 to honor and reward faculty for excellence in research and scholarship. The project is funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and coordinated by the Office of Academic Affairs and Research. Wilkinson will accept his award at a special convocation at 7 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the Mountainlair Ballrooms as part of WVU's Weekend of Honors.
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