Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Subject: Juba Down Now
August Wilson’s play Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is a remarkable blend of various aspects of African American culture. Influenced by the blues, jazz, and a long-standing oral tradition Wilson has created a well-rounded representation of life among “down and out” black Americans. Music is an essential medium in preserving their history and it seems to touch almost every aspect of Wilson’s vision.
Music is plays a significant role throughout the play. The Juba is not only a collection of rhythms, but it also serves to as a unifying force within the boardinghouse community. As the dominant male in the household, Seth initiates the Juba by waking up Bynum. All the members of the table are eager to participate in this joyous raucous. August Wilson made a very wise choice by including only vague stage directions concerning the Juba. He has created an instant bonding experience, not only for the characters within the play, but the actors as well. Each cast that performs Wilson’s play will create something unique and individual with their Juba. Wilson has challenged the players to shape this crucial scene with their own creativity. The results of this creative license are a blend of personal experiences that contribute to the truth Wilson is trying to convey. The Juba creates harmony and community spirit that is then broken by Herald Loomis.
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is soulful and dissatisfied just like any good blues song should be except it is not a musical composition. Each character is shaped by the stories they tell, which come in almost song-like bits of narrative. These little confessionals reveal a great deal of information in a short amount of time much like a song would. But music itself remains Wilson’s most effective tool in creating a sense of unity and discontent.