The Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorating Otha Turner is on the center median in the 200 block of Main Street in Como, Panola County, Mississippi. Mississippi Blues Trail markers for Napolian Strickland and Mississippi Fred McDowell are nearby.

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Otha Turner, Como, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Otha Turner, Como, Mississippi

The GPS location of this marker is: N 34° 30.771′ W 89° 56.487′

The marker reads:

“OTHA TURNER – The African American fife and drum tradition in north Mississippi stretches back to the 1800s and is often noted for its similarities to African music. Its best known exponent, Otha (or Othar) Turner (c.1908-2003), presided over annual fife and drum picnics and goat roasts on his property in nearby Gravel Springs, and performed at numerous festivals. His music was featured in several documentaries as well as in Martin Scorsese’s film Gangs of New York.”

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Otha Turner, Como, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Otha Turner, Como, Mississippi
Otha Turner's grave, Cistern Hill Baptist Church, Como, Mississippi
Otha Turner’s grave, Cistern Hill Baptist Church, Como, Mississippi

Here are some video clips of Otha Turner. This one was shot by Alan Lomax in 1978.

Clip 1 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 2 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 3 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 4 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 5 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 6 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 7 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 8 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 9 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 10 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

Clip 11 of 11 video clips from the Alan Lomax 1978 recordings of Otha Turner:

 

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