From the recordings 400: An Afrikan Epic and Blues In August
Joe Turner is the colloquial name for the white people who kidnapped free Blacks and delivered them to plantations and prison chain gangs (a common practice well into the 20th century). In this story, Herald Loomis gets caught and spends 7 years in prison (in the absence of due process) and upon his release, begins to search for his family. He finds them in Pittsburgh and also finds himself. The play ends when Bynum Walker recognizes the shift and says to Herald, “[y]ou look like new money.” This movement reflects on the beauty and pride authentic identity brings.