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Francis "Frank" Johnson (June 16, 1792 – April 6, 1844) was an American musician and prolific composer during the Antebellum period. African American composers were rare in the U.S. during this period, but Johnson was among the few who were successful.
- Frank Johnson
- 1810s–1844
- April 6, 1844 (aged 51), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- June 16, 1792, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS. Francis " Frank " Johnson (June 16, 1792 – April 6, 1844) was an American musician and prolific composer during the Antebellum period. African American composers were rare in the U.S. during this period, but Johnson was among the few who were successful.
Nov 15, 2010 · Besides having the distinction of being the first black American composer to have his arrangements published as sheet music, Johnson was also the first African American bandleader to conduct public concerts and in 1837 he led the first American ensemble to perform before Queen Victoria in England .
Learn more about Black composer and musician Francis Johnson, whose music was popular in the Revolutionary and Antebellum eras. Francis Johnson’s music gave Philadelphia its rhythm in the early 1800s. Born in Philadelphia in 1792, Johnson became widely known as a talented fiddle player, performing for Black and white audiences.
Feb 3, 2022 · Francis Johnson was the preeminent band leader in Philadelphia and one of the most popular Black composers prior to the American Civil War. Among his 300 original compositions, he wrote patriotic marches, European ballads, cotillions, quicksteps, and Ethiopian minstrel songs, many of which he performed for General Lafayette during his visit to ...
Nov 29, 2022 · Francis (Frank) Johnson (1792–1844)— an “originator of music for the new (American) Republic”—was an African American bandleader, composer, teacher and performer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who was central to the cultural and musical life of his locale. [1] .
Oct 1, 2019 · Francis Johnson was an early 19th century Philadelphia musician, composer, bandmaster and freeman who helped define the American musical sound. Johnson is the first African American composer noted to have musical compositions published in America, perform for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace in England and perform at integrated musical ...
