Bob Cole, left
J. Rosamond Johnson, right
J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) was a Black American composer, lyricist, vocalist, director, and teacher. His compositional output consists of more than 200 songs, several stage and piano works works, and more than 150 arrangements of spirituals. Many of his songs were composed in collaboration with his brother, the lyricist James Weldon Johnson. His most well-known work is “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which the NAACP dubbed the “Black national anthem” beginning in 1917. Since then it has been published in at least forty-two Christian hymnals, arranged for numerous instrumental and vocal configurations, and performed extensively in a wide range of contexts.
The Johnson brothers also collaborated extensively with Bob Cole, particularly in writing songs and stage works that were premiered in New York City. From 1900-1905, their songs were used in at least sixteen White musicals and sung by some of the most famous musicians of the day. J. Rosamond was typically responsible for composing the music for these songs, while his brother and Cole wrote the lyrics. In 1906, they began writing and performing in their own musicals, including The Shoo-Fly Regiment and The Red Moon. These works were ahead of their time in many ways, respectfully depicting interracial romantic relationships, Indigenous Americans, and racially-integrated educational institutions. These musicals were some of the earliest serious portrayals of Black Americans on stage, particularly in scenes involving romance. White audiences found the singing and dancing to be top-notch, but criticized the productions for being too “cultured” to “accurately” portray what they believed to be authentic Black lifestyles and culture.
Johnson’s parents were James Johnson, a free Black man from Virginia, and Helen Louise, a free Black woman born in Nassau. His mother was a highly-skilled singer and teacher and began giving J. Rosamond lessons at the age of four. He went on to study at the New England Conservatory from 1890-1896 before becoming the supervisor of music for Jacksonville public schools. In the early years of his professional career, he was also the choirmaster organist for a large Baptist church and taught music at the Baptist Academy. He held several other professional appointments, including director of the Music School Settlement for Colored People in Harlem and music director of Hammerstein’s theater in London.
As a singer, J. Rosamond premiered the role of Frazier in Porgy and Bess and also played Rev. Quintus Whaley in Mamba’s Daughters and Prof. Arnold Harmon in A Young American. He later sang Frazier again in the first studio recording of the opera. His ensemble, the J. Rosamond Johnson singers, were featured in several films, including Jazz and Cabin in the Sky. He was also a charter member of ASCAP and a founding member of the Negro Actors Guild of America. As a sign of appreciation for his respectful portrayal of Indigenous Americans in The Red Moon, J. Rosamond was made a sub-chief of the Iroquois in 1921.
Sources:
Graham, Sandra Jean. “Johnson, J(ohn) Rosamond.” Grove Music Online. 31 Jan. 2014.
Seniors, Paula Marie. Beyond Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Culture of Uplift, Identify, and Politics in Black Musical Theater. 2009.
Resources:
J. Rosamond’s papers are held in the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library Archives at Yale
Works Featured on Expanding the Music Theory Canon
Come Out, Dinah, on the Green
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Page: Predominant
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
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Pages: Modal Mixture, Common-Tone Diminished 7th
The Sweetest Gal in Town
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Page: Predominant