The above quotation is extracted from an editorial that appeared on page 13 in the May 1921 issue of Nora Douglas Holt’s monthly magazine, Music and Poetry, that is published in Chicago, Ill.
Mr. Hayes received his musical education in the New England conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., and today is acclaimed not only the foremost tenor in the Negro race but one of the greatest tenors in the world.
Colored and white song critics on both sides of the ocean have for many years recognized Harry T. Burleigh as the leading baritone soloist in the Negro race. For the past twenty or more years he has been a soloist in the choir of the St. George’s Protestant Church, which is one of the leading and wealthiest white churches in New York City, having on its membership roll such world-known names as Seth Low and J. Pierpont Morgan. Mr. Burleigh is also a composer of international fame, and his “Deep River” is frequently sung in different parts of the world by famous white singers. More mention of Mr. Burleigh’s celebrated compositions will be made elsewhere in this book.
“Guide to Voice Culture” is a book written by Madame E. Azalia Hackley. This book is soundly based on the ripe and rich experiences gained by Mrs. Hackley after an untiring and extensive preparation under the best voice culture masters in America and Europe. For many years she was the most prominent Colored singer in America. For several years past she has been devoting her time and energies in traveling throughout the country organizing and presenting chorus recitals dealing mostly or wholly with American Negro folklore songs. In thus constantly coming in personal contact with the masses of Colored people in all parts of the United States, Mrs. Hackley is doing more today than any musician in personally meeting and influencing so many Colored people to learn to love, sing, and preserve Negro plantation melodies.
Anita Patti Brown of Chicago, Ill., is today one of the most eminent sopranos belonging to the Negro race. She has made numerous and unusually successful trips throughout America and the West Indies, and those who have heard her remarkable singing instantly fall in love with her full round voice of natural richness and sweetness. Among her most catchy pieces is the one titled “Villanelle” which has been reproduced on Columbia Phonograph records with great success.
Florence Cole Talbert, aside from winning the diamond medal at the Chicago Musical College has also won national reputation as one of the leading sopranos among the American Colored people. Although high up on the ladder of songhood, she is continuing to climb to the top by taking special courses in Chicago under such famed teachers as Oscar Saenger and Madame Valerie. This great singer’s home is in Detroit, Michigan.
Cleota Collins, Columbus, Ohio, is a soprano of note, and, as the editor of Music and Poetry has so well said, “is a young woman with a frail body but such an enormous mentality and a voice that makes you close your eyes and listen to her interpretation of songs that set your senses titilating. But she has worked patiently to acquire this power and now condescends to tell young students how she did it.” She is associate editor of Music and Poetry.
Although he is at present living in New Zealand, where he has endeared himself in the hearts of all music lovers there H. Hodges can be rightly claimed an American product on account of his native home being Boston, Mass. His commanding and well trained talented voice is one of the wonders of Auckland where he conducts one of the most exclusive music studios.
After spending several years of personal sacrifices and hard study in America, France and England, Rachel Walker of Cleveland, Ohio was finally rewarded by receiving personal recognition and praise from kings and queens during her first successful appearance in Europe. And today she is classed among the best of American Colored song birds.
Worcester, Mass., and New England in general is justified in being so proud of Estelle P. Clough who has won for herself first place among great Colored singers. She has successfully appeared in most of the important cities in the United States.