Celebrating Hidden Figures in Black Music

1 February 2025

Dear Beloved Community,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to share with you some remarkable stories of Black musicians whose profound contributions to our musical heritage often go unrecognized. While we rightfully celebrate icons like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, there are countless others whose brilliance deserves our attention and appreciation.

Consider Florence Price, the first African American woman to have her composition performed by a major symphony orchestra. In 1933, her Symphony No. 1 in E minor was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Price composed over 300 works, including symphonies, concertos, and arrangements of spirituals, yet many of her manuscripts were nearly lost to history until they were discovered in 2009 in an abandoned house in Illinois. Don’t miss this beautiful arrangement of one of the movements from her String Quartet in G Major.

Then there’s William Grant Still, often called the “Dean of African American Composers.” While you may not know his name, his “Afro-American Symphony” (1930) was the first symphony by a Black composer to be performed by a major orchestra. Still broke countless barriers – he was the first African American to conduct a major symphony orchestra and the first to have an opera performed by a major company.

Elizabeth Cotten‘s story is one of persistence and late-blooming genius. A self-taught guitarist who played left-handed by turning the instrument upside down, she developed a unique fingerpicking style now known as “Cotten picking.” Though she worked as a housekeeper for most of her life, she was discovered in her 60s and went on to influence generations of folk musicians, winning a Grammy at age 90.

I must also mention Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, whose electric guitar virtuosity and powerful voice helped lay the foundation for rock music. While Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley are often credited as rock’s pioneers, it was Sister Rosetta who influenced them both, combining spiritual lyrics with driving rhythms and innovative guitar techniques in the 1930s and ’40s.

Less known but equally important is James Reese Europe, who revolutionized American music in the early 1900s. As the leader of the 369th Infantry “Hellfighters” Band during World War I, he introduced jazz to European audiences and helped establish it as America’s new classical music. His innovations in orchestration and rhythm laid groundwork for the Jazz Age, though his life was tragically cut short in 1919. Here is a short excerpt about Reese and the 369th Infantry from Ken Burn’s Jazz documentary series. For a longer discussion about Reese and his legacy, watch this Lincoln Center event that delves into his life and contributions.

We should also remember Hazel Scott, a piano prodigy who became the first African American woman to host her own television show in 1950. Despite her incredible talent and breakthrough achievements, her career suffered when she was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for standing up against racial segregation and discrimination. “Whatever Happened to Hazel Scott” is a short documentary about Scott’s extraordinary talent and life.

These musicians didn’t just create beautiful music – they broke down barriers, challenged conventions, and paved the way for future generations. Their stories remind us that greatness often goes unrecognized in its time, and that persistence in the face of adversity can lead to profound cultural change.

I encourage you to seek out recordings of these artists, to share their stories with others, and to remember that our musical heritage is rich with hidden figures whose contributions continue to resonate today. Their legacy lives not just in their music, but in the doors they opened and the paths they blazed for others to follow.

Let us honor these pioneers by ensuring their stories are told and their music continues to be heard. Consider this an invitation to explore, to listen, and to celebrate these remarkable artists who enriched our cultural tapestry with their extraordinary gifts.

With appreciation for the musical heritage of Black Americans,
Paul Ermisch