DANBURY, CONN. — From its African roots to the somber songs of slavery and from the dawning of the jazz age to today’s rhythms of hip-hop, African-American music has strong historical connections.

An accomplished author and expert on the social history of jazz, Dr. Burton Peretti, professor of history and non-western cultures and department chairman at Western Connecticut State University, has just had his most recent book published. “Lift Every Voice,” published Jan. 2009 by Rowman & Littlefield, covers the history of African-American music from its West African beginnings to the popular music of today.

The author of “Jazz in American Culture,” Peretti was asked by his publishing editors in 2005 to write this book. Thanks to a Connecticut State University System research grant, Peretti was able to expand his expertise on the origins of jazz, as well as territories such as vaudeville and hip-hop. The book, Peretti said, helps illustrate continuity and change.

“I think music is the most powerful expression of African-American culture over the centuries,” Peretti said. “I was especially excited about the chance to read the recent scholarship of African-American music. I learned that there are strong connections between gospel and soul music and rap and between African-American pop music and the blues.”

Peretti said that while much of the music of black Americans differs from its African heritage, “there are qualities that are preserved,” he said. “Every new generation always has its new music and it’s innovative.”

Some interesting facts that Peretti discovered while writing the 200-page hardcover book include the African-American roots of the barbershop quartet. “Its black roots are ignored by the early 1900s,” said Peretti. “But the harmony later reemerges in black gospel quartets of the 1920s and ‘30s, which later influence the doo-wop groups of the 1950s.”

The book’s title is spun from “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a famous 1900 anthem written by African-American brothers, J. Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson, to celebrate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

“I thought it was appropriate. It’s an admonition. There’s that element of uplifting the people, which is a big motif after emancipation,” Peretti said.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.