[Victory Stride: The Symphonic Music of James P. Johnson; The Concordia Orchestra; Marin Alsop, Conductor; Music Masters 67140 (1994)]
Yesterday the blog “One Small Voice” posted a commentary entitled “You've Got to be Hellenistic”: “In a comment on my last post, my friend Deb asked me how I stay so mellow despite the fact that the world seems to be going to hell in a handbasket.” The last line of the post reads: “(And yes, the title of this post pays homage to the great American stride pianist James P. Johnson, specifically his tune 'You’ve Got to be Modernistic'.)”
Today AfriClassical posted a comment: “I am delighted to find your reference to 'You’ve Got To Be Modernistic' by the great African American composer and stride pianist James Price Johnson (1894-1955). His profile at AfriClassical.com presents the lesser-known classical music side of this composer. Perhaps the best-known example of his classical works is “Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody”, which is available on recordings by VocalEssence and Marco Fumo. When the era of stride piano ended, Johnson studied classical music. Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma is one of the most accomplished scholars of Black Classical Composers. AfriClassical.com quotes his essay on James P. Johnson, including this paragraph: 'Despite little recognition and limited encouragement, James P. Johnson would write two symphonies, a piano and a clarinet concerto, two ballets, two one-act operas and a number of sonatas, suites, tone poems and a string quartet.' I hope you will visit my page on James P. Johnson at AfriClassical.com”
One Small VoiceYou've Got To Be Modernistic
James P. Johnson
Stride Pianist
Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody
African American Classical Composer
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