The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-11-29

sung and interpreted by Miss Birdie
Peters, who sang Burleigh's Jean"
her sweet voice and masterful rendi-
ton was the pleasant surprise of
the evening Prof. Lincolnia Hayes
Morgan, Music Supervisor of the Dali
las Public School, an ex-member of
the Fisk Jubilee singers for years
music leader in Dallas; Prof. X. B.
Polk, band leader and violinist of
unusual ability, Madam Madeline Car
ter Hawkins, nationally known as
one Of the sweetest singers in Ameri-
ca and Madam Pratt, whose instru-
mental Interpretation held her heat-
ers in inspired silence.
But the event browning the entire
situation was the paper on Harry r.
Burleigh's life rendered by Prof
Henri La Bonte, president of the
Dallas Academy Of Music. white. Prof
La Bonte has put Dallas, in things
musical, among the foremost Amerii
can cities. Besides being a noted
tenor singer, the influence Of his
work as a teacher is felt through
out the entire Southwest.
The Music Lovers Club considers
itself fortunate in being able to give
to the public Prof. La Bonte's SPLEEN
did address on Burleigh. which is as
follows;
Harry II. Burleigh.
MANY years ago Joseffy, then one
of the foremost pianists in this coun-
try, was playing in his studio in
New York. He was surrounded by
his pupils and friends, who in the
comfort of a luxurious studio, were
enjoying the marvellous playing of
this master pianist, little did they
know that outside, just beneath the
window, there stood a little Negro
boy, poorly dressed and shivering
from the cold wind, but stood trans
fixed at the wonderful sounds that
came to his ear. This boy was Harry
T. Burleigh, who had tramped from
Erie, Pennsylvania, the place of his
birth, to New York, where he hoped
to, somehow or other, study his be-
loved music.
Later on he was fortunate enough
| to play for the famous Joseffy, who
recognizing his talent took him as
pupil and gave him lessons for a
number of years. During this time
he studied composition with Max
Spicker. He stands today not only
the foremost musician of his own
people, but is recognized as one of
the leading musicians of this entire
country.
| first met H. T.. Burleoigh some
six or seven years ago. While in
New York, l had occasion to call
on George and William Maxwell who
are the American representatives of
G.. Ricordi & Co. of Milan, Italy, the
largest music house in the world.
While in Mr.. Maxwell's office, he
asked me If I knew Burleigh and
would / like to meet him. Always
interested in knowing musical per-
sonalities, | said that it would be
pleasure. He thereupon brought in
Mr.. Burleigh, who at once Impress
ed me as being not only an interest
ing personality, but an extremely
cultured gentleman, modest but at
the same time perfectly sure Of him
self.
/ had been familiar with several
of the compositions of Burleigh,
among them very popular song,
Jean" and the book, "Afro-American
Folk Songs" which he assisted in
preparing together with Kreibel, but
was not prepared for the remark
able surprise in store for me upon
hearing some of his later compost
tions. l at once realized that there
was a genius and that America would
soon realize that one of its foremost
composers had arrived and that all
he need for recognition. was to be
heard and / decided to do my part
toward helping the good work on
and it is a fact that l have rarely
sung in public since that time without
using some of the songs OF II. t.
Burleigh.
Since that first meeting / have
talked good many times with Bur-
leigh and he has told me good
many stories of some of the trials
and many OF the difficulties with
which he has to contend. He told
me once of how he happened to-
meet the late ]. Pierpont Morgan,
whose protege he was, and who aid
ed him in his later musical studies
and who sent him to Europe to-
further perfect himself.
1t has only been during the past
few years that Burleigh has not had
to fight poverty, and class hatred and
II is interesting to know the workings
of fate in his interest.
zBack in the days when Saratoga,
N. Y, was famous for its horse
racing season, the hotels were always
crowded with notables and the wealth
and fashion of New York were always
there. 1t was at this time
always there. 1t was at this time
that Burleigh was in sore financio
straits and to make living he took
job as a waiter in one OF the big
hotels there. While in that capacity
he happened one day to serve the
table at which Morgan and his party
were dining. The famous financier,
noticing that the walter at his table
seemed to be better educated than
the average run OF Negro walters,
asked him something regarding him
self He found that Burleigh had
studied to be musician and had
aspired to do something worth while.
Morgan Immediately took an inter-
est in the erstwhile Negro waiter
and from then on II was comparative
~ easy sailing for Burleigh.
After studying for several years in
Italy he returned to New York and
again Morgan came to his assistance
making him baritone soloist at St
Georges Church, one Of the most
aristocratic churches In New York.
at which church he has remained
since that time. recently celebrating
his twentieth anniversary as soloist
there. He has been also the baritone
soloist for many years at Beth Eel
Synagogue at 43rd and Fifth Streets.
H. T. Burleigh's compositions NUM-
Der many hundreds and are sung
and played throughout this country
and in England. He has q life con-