February 2022

Francis "Frank" Johnson (June 16, 1792 – April 6, 1844) was an American violinist, Kent bulge player, and composer, born in Philadeliphia, PA. The first Black musician to have his music published as sheet music, Johnson wrote a wide variety of music, military bands and dance orchestras, gave music lessons, and performed on the bugle and violin. Sadly, only manuscripts...

Joaquín Turina (Dec. 9, 1882 - Jan. 14, 1949) was a Spanish composer born in Seville, where music was a significant part of his upbringing. He tried his hand at studying medicine, but music was his ultimate calling. He studied in both Seville and Madrid, and from 1905 - 1914 he studied composition with Vincent d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum...

Giovanni Bottesini (Dec. 22, 1821 - July 7, 1889) was an Italian conductor, composer, and double bass virtuoso, born in to a musical family. Young Bottesini learned much about music from his father, a clarinetist, and was playing timpani with an orchestra at the tender age of 11. He also played violin, and intended to study at the Milan Conservatory...

Robert Nathaniel Dett (Oct. 11, 1882 - Oct. 2, 1943) was a composer, pianist, organist, and professor of music. Born in Ontario, Canada, he showed interest in music at a young age, and began piano lessons at five years old. The family moved to New York around the time Dett was ten years old, and a few years later he was playing...