Mark Johnson has been posting very interesting histories of Black musicians for Black History Month.
Take a look:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mudcat/permalink/10160487034553577/?mibextid=cr9u03

Nice work, Mark!

-Joe Offer-

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INTRODUCTION

-=- BLACK HISTORY MONTH TURNS 98! -=- The celebration was founded by Prof. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, before many of the events we get asked to remember even took place.
Leaning into the 2024 theme "African-Americans & the Arts," I've written and posted a short biographical piece every day in February. I chose individuals who had an impact on American music, are not widely-remembered today, and were active in the 19th Century.
Despite claims made by the State of Mississippi, black music was NOT born in the Delta. Before Mississippi came into being, even before the United States united, there were African-American musicians. From the 1740s to the 1980s, there was NO period when at least one subject of my little histories was not living. The story of black music in America is rich, complex, and full of real people - each one AN AMERICAN MUSICIAN!
Source materials for these early musicians is often based on recorded personal recollections; where sources contradict each other, I've chosen those which make narrative sense to me.
There are many, many more of these stories I wish I could bring you - below are a few more. I hope their portraits pique your interest enough to learn on your own about the people they portray. Understanding the world they lived-in, and how they faced it, will only enrich our appreciation of what they did.
To see all twenty-eight of my earlier 2024 Black History Month posts, click on the # link below to search Facebook for:
#anamericanmusician