On this day in 1904, Undine Smith Moore, the “Dean of Black Women Composers,” was born in Jarratt, Virginia! Moore, the granddaughter of slaves, began studying piano at the age… read more →
Another August day, another birthday shout-out! Composer T. J. (Thomas Jefferson) Anderson was born on this day in 1928 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Anderson received a Ph.D. in composition from the… read more →
An August day full of birthdays! On this day in 1888, Armand John Piron was born in New Orleans. Piron was of Creole descent, and he became a jazz violinist… read more →
Today is the 142nd anniversary of the birth of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor! Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was a British violinist, conductor, composer, and professor of part Creole descent. He learned to play violin… read more →
Today’s featured composer/musician is Florence Price. Florence Price (1887-1953) was an African-American composer who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She performed piano for the first time in public when… read more →
Last week, two members of our staff had the chance to visit the Archives at Spelman, a Historically Black College in Atlanta, Georgia. They were mainly in search of works by Willis… read more →
Today’s featured composer/musician is Henry Thacker “Harry” Burleigh. Harry Burleigh (1866-1949) is credited, more than anyone else, with making the Black American spiritual repertoire known throughout the United States and… read more →
Today’s featured composer/musician is Sister Marie-Seraphine Gotay. Originally from Puerto Rico, Sister Marie-Seraphine Gotay (1865-1932) is the only Black female composer known to be active in New Orleans at the… read more →
Today’s featured composer/musician is Basile Barès. Basile Barès (1845-1902) is the only American composer known to have a copyright assigned to his composition while he was enslaved. He was apparently… read more →
Today’s featured composer/musician is Amanda Ira Aldgridge. Amanda Ira Aldridge (1866-1956) was a British opera singer, composer, and teacher who worked under the pseudonym Montague Ring. Her students included Marian… read more →
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