The Day – Sound On The Sound: The nautical origins of music in New London

New London – the Whaling City – has always been intrinsically linked to the waterways that surround it. In fact, it was Connecticut’s first official port. And before the arrival of European colonizers, Indian tribes in the region relied on water for travel and fishing, and this was closely tied to their spiritual and cultural traditions.

UConn’s Alison Cross spoke with Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, Mohegan Tribe doctor and tribal historian, and Steve Manuel, executive director of the New London County Historical Society, about how the surrounding waterways have influenced music in New London.

About the Sound On The Sound Series

Led by instructors Gail B. MacDonald, UConn professor-in-residence and former Day reporter, and Carlos Virgen, The Day’s associate editor for audience development, UConn journalism students worked all semester at create stories in the form of text, audio and photographs that strive to tell parts of the overall story of music in New London. They spoke to musicians, business people, municipal and regional officials, educators and others to inform their work. These stories will be published in The Day and on theday.com