Will Marion Cook (Jan. 27, 1869 - July 19, 1944) was an African-American violinist, conductor, and composer born in Washington, D.C. His father was dean of the Howard University School of Law, but died when Cook was ten. He was then sent to live with his maternal grandparents in Chattanooga Tennessee, who were able to buy their way out of slavery. He said that was his "soul period", and where he experienced "real Negro melodies".

Cook's talent was obvious at a young age, and at 15 he went to the Oberlin Conservatory to study violin. He held benefit recitals and got help from the African-American community (including Frederick Douglass) that enabled him to study abroad at the Berlin Hochschule fur Musik from 1887 to 1889. There he studied with Heinrich Jacobson, a former student of Joseph Joachim. Later on back in the states, Cook studied with Antonin Dvořák and John White at the National Conservatory of Music. He made his debut as a professional soloist in 1889, but because of segregation/racism, that was short lived. He found himself at home in musical theater, and in writing songs. His compositions include lots of folk elements, and was no doubt influenced by his time in Tennessee.

Three Negro Songs is a soulful, three movement work originally published  for men's chorus and piano, and was highly popular in community choirs for a time. In the first movement, "Swing Along", Cook's lyrics speaks to fellow African Americans, to hold their heads high with pride and gladness as they are walking along. This encouraging work, like much of the other movements, has elements of spirituals and a jazz feel to it.

The second movement, "Exhortation: A Negro Sermon" has a more earnest and serious tone, like a sermon, again directed to his fellow African-Americans, with the lyrics written by Alex Rogers.

The last movement, "Rain Song" has a strong ragtime feel about it, with swung rhythms

We found a recording of this wonderful piece for you to enjoy!

Various Artists, The Songs of Will Marion Cook