Music and Some Highly Musical People

Opening with concise essays that define music, explore its appearance in nature, survey its history, and consider its beauty, power, and uses, the volume then presents biographical sketches and portraits of numerous noteworthy musicians from the colored community across northern and southern American cities. Each profile combines personal anecdote, critical appraisal, and regional musical context, tracing local musical life and institutions. An appendix reproduces examples of compositions by members of the same community. The author frames these materials as a corrective to prejudice, aiming to document artistic achievement and foster wider appreciation of musical talent.