Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 13, 1910 in Chattanooga, TN

Death

:

1977

 

Cleavant Derricks was an American composer and musician who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 13, 1910, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Derricks grew up in a musical family. His father, James Derricks, was a well-known gospel singer, and his mother, Mary Derricks, was a pianist. From a young age, Derricks showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano and singing in his father's church choir. Derricks' musical talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became a sought-after musician in his hometown. He began composing his own music while still in high school and went on to study music at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. While at Fisk, Derricks studied under the renowned composer and musicologist John Work III, who had a significant influence on his musical style. After graduating from Fisk, Derricks moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly established himself as a talented composer and arranger, and his works were performed by some of the most prominent orchestras and ensembles in the country. In 1936, Derricks composed his first major work, a symphony titled "The New World," which was inspired by the music of African American spirituals and folk songs. Over the next few years, Derricks continued to compose and arrange music for a variety of ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the NBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1940, he composed his most famous work, a ballet titled "Strange Fruit," which was based on the poem of the same name by Abel Meeropol. The ballet, which dealt with the issue of lynching in the United States, was a critical and commercial success and cemented Derricks' reputation as one of the most important composers of his time. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Derricks continued to compose and arrange music for a variety of ensembles, including the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. He also worked as a music director for several Broadway productions, including "Porgy and Bess" and "Carmen Jones." In 1958, Derricks composed his final major work, a symphony titled "The Negro in Music," which was a tribute to the contributions of African American musicians to the world of classical music. Derricks' music was characterized by its use of African American spirituals and folk songs, which he incorporated into his compositions in innovative and creative ways. His works were often political in nature, dealing with issues of race and social justice, and he was a vocal advocate for the rights of African Americans in the United States. Despite his significant contributions to the world of classical music, Derricks' work has often been overlooked by historians and critics. This is due in part to the fact that he worked primarily in the field of popular music, composing and arranging music for Broadway productions and Hollywood films. However, his influence on the world of classical music cannot be overstated, and his works continue to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world. Cleavant Derricks died on March 15, 1977, in New York City. He left behind a legacy of groundbreaking music that continues to inspire and influence musicians and composers to this day.

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