Parris, Ralph L.

Dr. Ralph L. Parris holds a Ph.D. in Geography with specialization in Latin America and the Caribbean from the University of Sarasota. His research interest has taken him to practically all of the Caribbean Islands, Africa, South America, South East Asia, Central America, and Europe.

Origin, Development and Diffusion of the Steel Band in the Caribbean and Beyond: The Historical Geography of a Musical Instrument

2015 0-7734-4271-5
This book is about the origin and evolution of the steel band orchestra and its diffusion in the Caribbean and beyond with special attention given to the nature and evolution of its origin and spatial movement within the culture. The Steel band was created by descendants of African Captives in the Caribbean who struggled to retain some elements of their culture while simultaneously rejecting elements of the captive culture that controlled their lives for three centuries.