Black women in music: case studies of five musicians in Maranhão

Abstract

This article aims to present reflections and analyzes of the musical artistic work of five musicians from Maranhão: Patativa, Célia Sampaio, Lena Machado, Dicy Rocha, e Núbia Rodrigues; black women present in the Maranhão music scene. We problematize the issue of musical artistic work and how the five musicians who make up the case studies are inserted in artistic musical production and in the music market in São Luís, Maranhão. In the methodology
we use approaches from the Sociology of Artistic Work and the Sociology of Art and Music, in qualitative research based on bibliographic and documentary studies, direct observation of musical scenes and semi-structured interviews with musicians. We found factors that condition the artistic work of black women in the Maranhão music scene, such as intermittent work, multiple working hours, lack of adequate local infrastructure, financial and career instability of musicians, and a search for recognition. professional and support services for the public and private sectors.