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R. Nathaniel Dett

Robert Nathaniel Dett (October 11, 1882 – October 2, 1943), often known as R. Nathaniel Dett and Nathaniel Dett, was a Canadian-American composer, organist, pianist, choral director, and music professor. Born and raised in Canada until the age of 11, he moved to the United States with his family and had most of his professional education and career there. During his lifetime he was a leading Black composer, known for his use of African-American folk songs and spirituals as the basis for choral and piano compositions in the 19th century Romantic style of Classical music.

He was among the first Black composers during the early years after the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) was organized. His works often appeared among the programs of Will Marion Cook's New York Syncopated Orchestra. Dett performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Boston Symphony Hall as a pianist and choir director.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 11, 1882 (Niagara Falls), Died October 2, 1943 (Battle Creek)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1917 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-28892 12-in. 12/27/1923 Follow me Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-28892 10-in. 11/14/1923 Follow me Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-28893 10-in. 11/14/1923 Somebody's knocking at your door Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with piano and orchestra composer  
Victor B-29229 10-in. 12/27/1923 I'm so glad troubles don't last always Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with harp and orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-47904 10-in. 10/1/1928 Juba dance Victor Symphony Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor B-[Unnumbered 1923-01-22-01] 10-in. 1/22/1923 Juba dance Guy Maier Piano solo composer  
Victor BS-068314 10-in. 11/14/1941 Steal away to Jesus (Hymn of deliverance) Dorothy Maynor Soprano vocal solo, with unaccompanied male chorus arranger  
Victor BS-068315 10-in. 11/14/1941 I couldn't hear nobody pray Dorothy Maynor Soprano vocal solo, with unaccompanied male chorus arranger  
Victor BS-068316 10-in. 11/14/1941 I'm a-going to travel (Hymn of tribulation) Dorothy Maynor Soprano vocal solo, with unaccompanied male chorus arranger  
Victor BS-068317 10-in. 11/14/1941 Rise up, shepherd an' follow (Hymn of Christmas) Dorothy Maynor Soprano vocal solo, with unaccompanied male chorus arranger  
Victor BS-068319 10-in. 11/15/1941 Were you there? (Hymn of the death of Christ) Dorothy Maynor Soprano vocal solo, with male vocal chorus, unaccompanied arranger  
Columbia 81401 10-in. 12/10/1923 I'm so glad trouble don't last alway Carroll Clark ; Fletcher Henderson Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 49281 12-in. 12/3/1917 Valse in A flat Percy Grainger Piano solo composer  
Columbia 49749 12-in. 2/10/1920 Brahms valse in A-flat Percy Grainger Piano solo composer  
Columbia W141628 10-in. 2/15/1926 I'm so glad trouble don't last alway Three Harmony Hounds Male vocal trio, with piano composer  
OKeh S-72292 10-in. Jan. 1924 Juba Elinor Remick Warren Piano solo composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dett, R. Nathaniel," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/104956.

Dett, R. Nathaniel. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/104956.

"Dett, R. Nathaniel." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/104956

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