Hall Johnson

Hall Johnson (1888–1970)

 Hall Johnson was a highly regarded African American choral director, composer, arranger, and violinist who dedicated his career to preserving the integrity of the Black spiritual as it had been performed during the era of slavery. His Hall Johnson Choir, the first professional group of its kind, enjoyed a successful concert and recording career for more than three decades in the United States and abroad, and he coached hundreds of distinguished musicians, including Marian Anderson. The choir appeared in the 1930 Broadway production of The Green Pastures and later in Hollywood films. His choral arrangements of spirituals remain essential repertoire, honoring the authenticity of a tradition he held sacred.

Learn more at: 

https://africandiasporamusicproject.org/compser/hall-johnson