James A. Bland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James A. Bland (also known as Jimmy Bland) (12 October 1854 – 6 May 1911) was an African American musician and song writer. He was one of 8 children born in Flushing, New York to a free family before the abolition of slavery in the United States. Beginning with an eight-dollar banjo purchased by his father, he was performing professionally by age 14.
Bland was educated in Washington, DC and graduated from Howard University in 1873. He wrote over 700 songs, including "In the Evening by the Moonlight" and "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny", published in 1878, which, in a slightly modified form, was the official State Song of Virginia from 1940-1997.
Often called "The World's Greatest Minstrel Man", Bland toured the United States, as well as Europe. Beginning in 1881, he spent 20 years in London before returning to the United States.
James A. Bland spent his later years in obscurity and poverty and died of tuberculosis in 1911.
The Lions Clubs of Virginia sponsor a music contest for school students called the "Bland Contest" in honor of James A. Bland. The Annual Bland Music Scholarships Program was established in 1948 to assist and promote cultural and educational opportunities for the musically talented youth of Virginia.
James Bland was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1970 The local project are named after the composer known to the locals as bland housing located in downtown Flushing Queens New York.
