People, Locations, Episodes

The Banjo’s African and African American Heritage

*The Banjo’s African American Heritage is celebrated on this dates Registry. Since Caribbean Blacks created the banjo in the 17th century and carried it to North America in the 18th century, the banjo has been part of African American heritage. An African New World combination of European and African elements, early banjos resembled plucked full spike folk lutes like the akonting of Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau and the bunchundo of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

Saint George Boulogne, Renaissance man

Joseph Boulogne “Chevalier de Saint-Georges” was born on Christmas Day, 1745. He was an African French classical music conductor, composer, musician, and military officer.

George P. Bridgetower, Black Polish musician born

The birth of George Polgreen Bridgetower in 1778 is celebrated on this date. He was an Black Polish classical violinist.

His father was an African prince who married a white European woman, Mary Ann Bridgetower. They had two sons who both became musicians. George’s younger brother Fredrick was a cellist. George played in the Prince’s band at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, for 14 years. During that time, he became a talented 9-year-old violin prodigy.

Frank (Francis) Johnson, a first for Black music

Frank Johnson was born on this date in 1792. He was a Black musician, band leader, and composer.

Excellent voice, Elizabeth T. Greenfield

On this date, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield was born in 1817. She was a Black singer whose exceptional voice made her a popular performer in Great Britain.

Congo Square, the Soul of New Orleans

Congo Square is celebrated on this date’s Registry from 1817. It is the informal name for an open area in the southern corner of Louis Armstrong Memorial Park in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Justin Holland, Classic Guitarist born

The birth of Justin Holland in 1819 is celebrated on this date. He was a Black classical musician.

Black history in Folk Music, a brief story

*Black history in folk music is celebrated on this date in 1820.  This musical genres representation along with jazz come very close to being the first truly American classical music.  As soon as Blacks came through the Middle Passage, a gradual transformation of African culture began to what some now call African American. They had […]

Wallace Willis, Lyricist born

*The birth of Wallace Willis is celebrated on this date c 1820.  He was a Black Native American farmer and lyricist.  Wallace Willis was born on a plantation in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Wallace “Uncle” Willis and his wife, Aunt Minerva, were slaves of Britt Willis, a wealthy half-Irish, half-Choctaw farmer. When the Choctaws were relocated […]

Louis Gottschailk, Pianist born

*Louis Gottschalk was born on this date in 1829. He was an white american classical pianist and educator.

Edmund Dédé, Musician and Composer born

The birth of Edmund Dédé in 1829 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American violinist and composer.

The son of free Black West Indian parents, Dédé first studied the violin in New Orleans then in Mexico. In 1850, he left for Paris, completing his musical education and beginning a career that lasted for nearly fifty years. As a violinist, musical director and composer, Dédé developed a considerable reputation abroad.

The Yellow Rose of Texas, a history

This date in 1830 marks the commemoration of the song The Yellow Rose of Texas. On this date annually, the Knights of the Yellow Rose of Texas at San Jacinto TX celebrate the song and its history.

Jazz music, an African American art form

On this date, we focus on Jazz Music in America and the Black culture’s role in creating and influence its existence.

José White Lafitte, Classical Musician born

*José Silvestre White Lafitte was born on this date in 1836.  Also known as Joseph White, he was an Afro Cuban, French violinist and composer.   Born in in Matanzas, Cuba, his father Don Carlos White was Spanish, and his mother was Afro-Cuban.  After receiving early musical training from his father, who was an amateur violinist, […]

Afro Brazilian Composer, Antonio C. Gomes

Antonio Carlos Gomes was born on this date in 1836. He was an African Brazilian composer, one of the most distinguished 19th century operatic composers in the world.