AN AMERICAN MUSICIAN
Walter Craig was born free in Princeton NJ, in 1854; his father Chales originated in Maryland, while his mother Sarah came from Pennsylvania. The family soon moved to New York City, where he attended the historic Colored School No. 4 on 17th Street, in the CHelsea neighborhood.   By age 13 he was learning violin, particularly interested in music of the classical and romantic composers. He made his concert debut at the Cooper Union at 16, and he organized his own orchestra a couple of years later.
For economic reasons, his orchestra regularly performed for dances, but Craig was demanding of his performers' musicianship. The orchestra also made concert tours of adjacent states, performing works by European composers, including Dvorak, Musin, Stobbe, and Berlioz. They often featured popular African-American vocalists who performed classical music or opera/operettas, these included Sissieretta Jones, Harry Burleigh, and Azalia Hackley. Craig also became known for introducing young African-American performers, such as Roland Hayes.
Walter himself became well-known as a violinist and composer.   Craig’s orchestra was made up of both white and black performers, and he was active in the musicians’ union - being the first black conductor to be a member of the Musical Mutual Protective Union of New York City.
He was probably best known for a set of recurring seasonal performances at the Palm Garden for Christmas, before the start of Lent, and an annual May Festival; these appeared annually for more than a quarter-century. He continued to compose music and give violin lessons until his death at 79.
#anamericanmusician