Francis “Frank” Johnson (1792-1844) was a black American violinist, Kent-bugle player, bandmaster, and composer. He was the first black American to publish sheet music, one of the first Americans to perform in racially integrated concerts, and the first black American to take a band to Europe on tour. His successful career resulted in other black American composers finding music publishers.
Johnson began achieving notoriety for his compositions in 1818 and became the band leader for the Philadelphia State Fencibles in 1821. He and his band performed at prestigious events throughout the 1820s, including the annual birthday celebrations of George Washington, the reception of General Lafayette in 1824 and the reception of the Haitian leader Jean Pierre Boyer in 1825. His fame extended beyond Philadelphia, and he was hired to provide music for events in Brandywine, White Sulphur Springs, Cape May, and Bedford Springs.
Johnson traveled to London and Paris on a tour with his band. While there, he played for Queen Victoria, who awarded him a silver bugle. Upon returning to the United States, Johnson toured extensively in major American cities and Toronto.
Johnson and his band were well-received in most cities, although they experienced significant discrimination in New York, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. In some instances, all-white bands refused to perform in venues where Johnson’s band was scheduled to play, and some audiences accused Johnson and his band of being incapable of reading the sheet music from which they were playing. The city government of St. Louis tried to arrest him and kicked him out of town, and a violent mob chased him in Pittsburgh. Despite this overt racism, Johnson published more than 200 works and was revered in venues throughout Western Europe and North America.
Works:
More than 200 pieces, most of which only survive in manuscript or keyboard reduction
Resources:
Sources:
Brew, Arthur R. La. “Johnson, Frank.” Grove Music Online. 16 Oct. 2013.
Penn People. “Francis Johnson.” University of Pennsylvania Archives.
Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon
Ford
Excerpt
Pages: Intervals, Passing Tones
Francis
Excerpt
Pages: Triads, V, V7+ Inversions
Augustus
Excerpt
Page: Predominant