Napolean Strickland
b. c.1920, probably Como, Mississippi, USA. Self-described as ‘the fife-blowingest man in the state of Mississippi’, Strickland also played harmonica, guitar and the one-stringed ‘diddley-bow’. Not regarded as a good singer, he was nevertheless highly esteemed by the community around Como for the intensity of his commitment and the force of his playing. His piercing fife, accompanied by the thundering syncopation of the bass and snare drums, was central to the success of the picnics that were the chief community entertainment in the summer months.