Turner, Othar

Turner, Othar 1908; Rankin County, MS – 26 February 2003; Gravel Springs, MS First name sometimes shown as Otha. Through his performances at major festivals and appearances in documentary films, Turner introduced many listeners to fife and drums , an African American pre-blues musical tradition melding the marching music of colonial militia bands with African syncopation and poly-rhythms. Turner handcrafted his own cane fifes and began playing the instrument as a teenager, learning from a…