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is committed to conscious editing of Libraries’ generated descriptive terminology that may be offensive, harmful, or out of date.
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Castle Lame Duck
James Reese Europe and Ford Thompson Dabney
Ford Thompson Dabney was a Black songwriter. James Reese Europe was a Black band leader.
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Charleston
Cecil Mack and James P. Johnson
Cecil Mack was a Black songwriter. James P. Johnson was a Black composer.
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Come After Breakfast: Bring 'Long Your Lunch and Leave 'fore Supper Time
James Timothy Brymn and Chris Smith
James Timothy Brymn was a Black composer.
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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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Dat's Harmony
Bert Williams and Grant Clarke
Spencer Williams was a Black songwriter. Bert Williams was a Bahamian-American actor.
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Daylight: A Musical Expression for the Piano
Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune
Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune (called "Blind Tom") was 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.
