- Joined
- Nov 26, 2016
- Location
- central NC
Frederick Douglass with grandson Joseph. Circa 1893 from the Randolph Linsly Simpson African-American collection.
Joseph was among the first African-American performers to be considered nationally and internationally renowned. His performance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition at the age of 22 brought him into the spotlight and earned him critical acclaim. The Black press praised him as “the most talented violinist of the race.”
Joseph Douglass (Library of Congress)
Joseph is also credited as the first Black violinist to make transcontinental tours. He toured extensively for three decades and is touted for performing in every Black educational institution in America. He was also the first violinist - of any race - to make recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company. Sadly his recordings with them were never released.
In addition to his great musical talent, Joseph was also a music educator and conductor. He had tenured positions at Howard University and the Colored Music Settlement School in New York. He had many students including a young Clarence Cameron White, but that’s another story. Mr. White is deserving of his own biography.
Joseph Douglass (nps.gov)
Joseph was born on July 3, 1871 and died December 7, 1935. He and his wife Fannie, an accomplished pianist, had two children: Blanche and Frederick III.
Sources
Wikipedia
https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2018/02/01/black-history-spotlight-joseph-douglass
"Frederick Douglass Family Foundation"
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