Born in Mississippi in 1885, W. G. Still was the first African-American composer to have his works performed by a full major orchestra. Racial predjudice prevented his work from becoming widely known and performed, but W. G. Still managed to have a successful career as a composer. His work was known among African-Americans of his day, and was performed in all-black venues. Eleanor Roosevelt helped form a nonprofit organization to allow any group to perform at a major New York venue, in large part to help W. G. Still gain a performance arena.

Among his works are "Wood Notes", an orchestral piece, and "Troubled Island", an opera with words by Langston Hughes. W. G. Still died in 1978 at age 83. After his death his daughter, Judith Anne Still, formed William Grant Still Music which has produced recordings of her father's compositions, and works to promote performances of his music.

Posted by Contact on Friday May 19, 2000.