Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 15, 1883 in Washington, D.C.

Death

:

June 21, 1958 in New York City, NY

 

Ford Dabney was an American composer and pianist who was born on August 8, 1883, in Savannah, Georgia. He was the son of a Baptist minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father played the organ. Dabney showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. Dabney's family moved to New York City when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical education there. He studied piano with several prominent teachers, including Rafael Joseffy and Harold Bauer. He also studied composition with Percy Goetschius and Max Bruch. Dabney began his career as a pianist, playing in vaudeville shows and accompanying singers. He also worked as a composer and arranger, writing music for popular songs and dance numbers. In 1909, he formed his own publishing company, the Dabney Music Publishing Company, which specialized in publishing African American music. Dabney's early compositions were influenced by ragtime and other popular music styles of the time. He wrote several popular songs, including "Shine on, Harvest Moon," which became a hit in 1908. He also wrote several instrumental pieces, including "The Harlem Rag," which was one of the first ragtime pieces to be published by an African American composer. In the 1910s, Dabney began to focus more on classical music. He wrote several orchestral works, including a symphony and a suite for orchestra. He also wrote several chamber music pieces, including a string quartet and a piano trio. Dabney's classical compositions were well-received by critics and audiences alike. His music was praised for its originality and its ability to blend popular and classical music styles. In 1915, he was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome, which allowed him to study in Europe for several years. While in Europe, Dabney continued to compose and perform. He wrote several works for piano, including a set of preludes and fugues. He also wrote several orchestral works, including a ballet and a tone poem. Dabney returned to the United States in the early 1920s and continued to compose and perform. He wrote several works for piano and orchestra, including a piano concerto. He also wrote several choral works, including a cantata and several hymns. Dabney's later works were influenced by jazz and other popular music styles of the time. He wrote several pieces for jazz band, including a suite for jazz band and a set of variations on a popular song. He also wrote several pieces for piano and jazz band, including a set of variations on "St. Louis Blues." Dabney continued to compose and perform until his death in 1958. His music has been performed and recorded by many prominent musicians, including pianist Art Tatum and jazz band leader Duke Ellington. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated today.

More....