Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

October 22, 1854 in Flushing, NY

Death

:

May 6, 1911 in Philadelphia, PA

Genre

:

Vocal

 

James A. Bland was a prominent African American composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born on October 22, 1854, in Flushing, New York, to a family of free African Americans. Bland's father, Joseph Bland, was a barber, and his mother, Lucretia Bland, was a seamstress. Bland showed an early interest in music and began playing the banjo at a young age. Bland's family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was a child, and he continued to pursue his musical interests. He learned to play the guitar and the piano and began performing in local minstrel shows. Bland's talent as a musician soon caught the attention of prominent musicians in the area, and he began to receive formal training in music theory and composition. In 1875, Bland moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He began performing in vaudeville shows and soon became a popular performer in the city's music scene. Bland's music was heavily influenced by African American folk music and the minstrel shows of the time. He wrote many popular songs, including "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," which became one of the most popular songs of the era. Bland's success as a composer and performer allowed him to travel extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He performed for audiences in England, France, and Germany, and his music was widely popular in these countries. Bland's music was also popular among African American communities in the United States, and he became known as the "King of Ragtime." Bland's most famous work, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," was written in 1878. The song was inspired by Bland's memories of his childhood in Virginia and became an instant hit. The song's popularity led to Bland being invited to perform at the White House for President Grover Cleveland in 1886. Bland continued to write and perform music throughout his life, but his popularity began to wane in the early 20th century. He died on May 5, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 56. Despite his success as a composer and performer, Bland faced many challenges as an African American musician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was often forced to perform in segregated venues and faced discrimination from white audiences and musicians. Despite these challenges, Bland's music remains an important part of American musical history and continues to be performed and celebrated today.

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