This site shows a love for African-American sheet music. Some sources used are Brown University, Baylor, Johns Hopkins, and Library of Congress. Use freely.
Let’s see what we can learn from black subject songs. The black experience wasn’t all negative. There were aspects that had a positive impact. This project attempts to honor the artistic and cultural endeavors that have gone before.
Minstrel shows provided one of the few opportunities for talented Black performers to showcase their skills and earn a living during a time when other avenues were largely closed to them. The shows played a significant role in popularizing certain musical styles and instruments, such as the banjo and fiddle, which have become integral to American music. Despite the distorted and offensive depictions, minstrel shows did introduce some elements of African American culture to a broader audience.
Other countries around the world didn’t have ragtime. They look to the United States for that. We needed the cakewalk, rags and Dixieland in order to eventually get Bebop, Boogie Woogie and Jazz. These are developments to be proud of.
Do you know these early black sheet music creators? Cole and Johnson, Creamer and Layton, W. C. Handy, James A. Bland, Earnest Hogan, Scott Joplin, John Queen, George Walker, Bert Williams, Sissle and Blake, George W. Johnson.