Black American Sheet Music Collection
The Bank of America Black American Sheet Music Collection consists of approximately 4000 pieces of published sheet music reflecting the influences of African Americans on popular music in the United States. The music was created by, performed by, published by, or portrays Black and African American themes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. The collection highlights popular vocal music, jazz, big band, and swing music published in the United States. The earliest piece in the collection dates to 1818, and the latest editions date into the 1980s, thereby giving a chronicle of the evolution of Black-inspired music in America for almost 200 years. Some imagery and lyrics in this collection reflect harmful racist depictions of Black people and are included in the collections for their use in academic research.
Content Warning:
USF Libraries’ Digital Collections include historical and primary sources from many cultures and time periods. Some content may be harmful, graphic, difficult to view, or reflect biases. Digital Collections provides access to these materials to preserve the historical record, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors found within them. USF Libraries’ is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Carolina Mammy, B
Billy James
Piano and vocal score for "Carolina Mammy" written by composer Billy James.
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Carolina Mammy, C
Billy James
Piano and vocal score for "Carolina Mammy" written by composer Billy James.
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Carolina Mammy, D
Billy James
Piano and vocal score for "Carolina Mammy" written by composer Billy James.
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Castle Lame Duck
James Reese Europe and Ford T. Dabney
The score for "Castle Lame Duck" by Ford Thompson Dabney, a Black songwriter, and James Reese Europe, a Black band leader.
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Charleston
Cecil Mack and James P. Johnson
The piano and vocal score for "Charleston" from the musical production of "Running Wild." Lyrics and music by Cecil Mack, a Black songwriter, and James P. Johnson, a Black composer.
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Chicken Charlie
Ashley Ballou
The score for "Chicken Charlie" by Ashley Ballou. The song was inscribed to "Miss Grayce Ballou."
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Cocoanut Grove Jazz
James Timothy Brymn
The score for "Cocoanut Grove Jazz" by James Timothy Brymn, a Black composer.
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Colored Aristocracy Cake Walk
Gus W. Bernard
The score for "Colored Aristocracy Cake Walk" by Gus W. Bernard.
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Come After Breakfast: Bring 'Long Your Lunch and Leave 'fore Supper Time
James Timothy Brymn, Christopher M. Smith, and James Burris
The piano and vocal score for "Come after Breakfast," written by James Brymn, a Black composer, James Burris, and Christopher M. Smith, a Black songwriter.
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Come Take a Sail
H. Avery
A new Ethiopian melody in the key C major designed for the Home Circle by H. Avery. Composed for voice and piano.
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Dancing in the Barn
Tom Turner, Ed W. Orrin, and Charles E. Pratt
The score for "Dancing in the Barn," a schottische. Melody by Tom Turner and Ed W. Orrin. Arranged by Charles E. Pratt.
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Dancing on the Mississippi Landing
Addison Kavanaugh
The score for "Dancing on the Mississippi Landing" with words and music by Addison Kavanaugh.
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Dancing with Ma Baby
Bert R. Anthony
The score for "Dancing with Ma Baby," a schottische, by Bert R. Anthony.
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Dat Friend of Mine
Egbert Van Alstyne and Harry Williams
The piano score and lyrics for "Dat Friend of Mine" with lyrics by Harry Williams and music by Egbert Van Alstyne.
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Dat Possum Rag
Phil Schwartz and Harold Richard Atteridge
The score for "Dat Possum Rag" with music by Phil Schwartz and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge.
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Dat's Harmony
Bert Williams and Grant Clarke
The piano and vocal score for "Dat's Harmony" with words by Grant Clarke and music by Bert Williams, a Bahamian-American actor.
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Daylight: A Musical Expression for the Piano
Tom Blind
The piano score for "Daylight" by Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune (called "Blind Tom"), a Black pianist and composer.
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Deep River: Transcription of the Famous American Negro Spiritual for Violin and Piano
Calvin Grooms
"Deep River" is a traditional Black spiritual. This edition was adapted for the violin and piano and arranged by Calvin Grooms.
