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.

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Denison's Minstrel Opening Choruses and Finalés. Number One

Jeff T. Branen and Rube Bennett

The score for "Denison's Minstrel Opening Chorus" by Jeff Branen and arranged by Rube Bennett.
De Sun is A-Sinkin'

Jean Bohannan

The score for "De Sun is A-Sinkin'" with music and lyrics by Jean Bohannan.
Detroit Wholesalers and Manufacturers March and Two Step

Fred S. Stone

The score for "Detroit Wholesalers and Manufacturers March and Two-Step" by Fred Stone, a Black songwriter.
Dinah is the Girl for Me

W. Raphaelson

The score for "Dinah is the Girl for Me," arranged by W. Raphaelson.
Dis Ain't no Time for an Argument

John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson

The piano and vocal score for "Dis Ain't no Time for an Argument" by brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. Black composers and lyricists, James wrote the lyrics and John wrote the music.
Dixie's Land

Daniel Decatur Emmett and W. L. Hobbs

Daniel Decatur Emmett was the founded of the Virginia Minstrels, one of the first troupe to perform blackface minstrel shows. He composed the music for "Dixie's Land," that was arranged by W.L. Hobbs.
Dixie's Land: Theme and Variation

Charles Grobe

The score for "Dixie's Land: Theme and Variation," by Charles Grobe.
Dixy's Land

John Cahr and Septimus Winner

The score for "Dixy's Land" by John Cahr and arranged by Septimus Winner.
Doan Give Me no Golden Harp

Charles Gilbert and E. W. Dustin

The score for "Doan Give Me no Golden Harp" by Charles Gilbert and E.W. Dustin.
Don't Be What You Ain't

Silvio Hein, George Vere Hobart, and Edwin Milton Royle

The score for "Don't Be what You Ain't" with music by Silvio Hein and lyrics by George V. Hobart and Edwin Milton Royle.
Down in Jungle Town

Edward Madden and Theodore Morse

The score for "Down in Jungle Town: A Monkey Ditty" with words by Edward Madden and music by Theodore Morse.
Down the Bayou: A Creole Serenade

Reginald De Koven

The piano score for "Down the Bayou" composed by Reginald de Koven.
Down Where the Cocoanut Grows

Frederick V. Bowers and Charles Horwitz

A piece composed by the songwriting duo Horwitz and Bowers for voice and piano in the key G major. Featured in the 1902 musical "Sally in Our Alley."
Down Where the Tennessee Flows

Bert L. Rule and Ray Sherwood

A piece composed by Bert L. Rule, who was known for vaudeville performances and songs composed during the Tin Pan Alley era. As sung by Al. Jolson in the big Winter Garden success "The Honeymoon Express."
Driven from Home

William Shakespeare Hays

The score for "Driven from Home" by William Shakespeare Hays.
Dusky Dinah

Dan J. Sullivan

An original cake-walk and patrol by Dan J. Sullivan, composer of "The Tournament" march.
Dusty Rag

May Frances Aufderheide Kaufman

A piece composed by May Frances Aufderheide Kaufman, a popular female ragtime composer from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Eli Green's Cake Walk

Sadie G. Koninsky and Charles E. Pratt

The first cakewalk published by a woman, Sadie G. Koninsky, who also published under the male pseudonym Jerome Hartman.
Ella Leene

Frederick Buckley

To Richard Carrol. Sung by Buckley's Serenaders. Words by Quiet Willie. Music composed by Frederick Buckley, music director of Buckley's Operatic Troupe.
Emma Dale

W. N. Chambers and J. P. Temple

Sung by the Sable Melodists. Arranged for the piano. Words by W.N. Chambers. Music by J.P. Temple.
Ephraham

J. B. Mullen and Vincent P. Bryan

The score for "Ephraham" with music by J.B. Mullen and words by Vincent Bryan.
Ethiopian Quadrilles, A

A. Nagerj Onyqjva

Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Goin Ober De Mountin"; "Jonny Boker"; "De Old Jaw Bone"; "Jumbo Jum"; "Jim Along Josey"
Ethiopian Quadrilles, B

A. Nagerj Onyqjva

Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Lucy Long"; "De Boatman Dance"; "Massa Is A Stingy Man"; "Old Dan Tucker"; "Ginger Blue"
Ethiopian Quadrilles, Sett 3

A. Nagerj Onyqjva

Danced and sung by the Virginia Minstrels. Includes: "Whar Did You Cum From"; "Jenny Get Your Hoe Cake Done"; "Charleston Gals"; "Dandy Jim From Carolina"; "Ole Tare River"