March 3rd: Margaret Bonds

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Margaret Bonds 3 March 1913 – 26 April 1972

Troubled Water

Margaret Bonds
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Margaret Bonds was an influential American composer, pianist, and teacher born in Chicago. She was one of the first Black composers to gain recognition in the United States. Bonds is best known for her arrangements of African-American spirituals and her collaborations with poet Langston Hughes. Notably, she was the first African American woman to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Bonds faced many challenges throughout her life, including racial discrimination in her education at Northwestern University. Despite these obstacles, she earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. After moving to New York, she continued to compose and perform, creating significant works like “The Ballad of the Brown King.”

In 1967, she moved to Los Angeles, where she taught music and composed for theatre. Tragically, Bonds died of a heart attack in 1972. Her legacy includes promoting African-American music and addressing social issues through her compositions, making her a vital figure in American music history.

5 January

January 5th: Elizabeth Cotten

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America 19th Century, Composers Of Colour, Elizabeth Cotten, Female Composers, January, Washington Blues

Elizabeth Cotten 5 January 1893 – 29 June 1987

Washington Blues

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Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten was a remarkable American folk and blues musician, born on January 5, 1893, in North Carolina. She was a self-taught guitarist who played left-handed, using a guitar strung for right-handed players, which created her unique sound. Cotten’s signature style, known as “Cotten picking,” involved playing bass lines with her fingers and melodies with her thumb. Her most famous song, “Freight Train,” was written in her teens and later became influential in folk music. In 1958, Cotten released her album, Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar, which was recognised for its cultural significance. At age 90, she won a Grammy Award for her live album, Elizabeth Cotten Live! Cotten’s music has inspired many artists across various genres, showcasing her lasting impact. Despite retiring from music for many years, she was rediscovered in her 60s by the Seeger family, leading to a successful later career. Cotten passed away on June 29, 1987, but her contributions to music continue to resonate today, influencing generations of musicians.