The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist
by Deirdre O'Connell
has been partially excerpted at AfriClassical Blog.
Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849-1908)
by Deirdre O'Connell
has been partially excerpted at AfriClassical Blog.
Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins (1849-1908)
is profiled at AfriClassical.com,
which features
a complete Works List
by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma,
Columbia Daily Tribune
Columbia, Missouri
Blind pianists' duel was a sight to behold
The date: March 3, 1880.
The event: "Blind Tom" Wiggins, a 31-year-old ex-slave,
autistic and illiterate, was to perform on the piano at Garth Hall in
Columbia.
...
"Blind Tom" was one of the best-known pianists in the
country when he came on stage at Garth Hall in what became one of the
most exciting evenings in Columbia's long and diverse musical history.
As usual, he set about playing his own compositions,
including the famous "Battle of Manassas," then accepting challenges
from the audience.
One of those challenges came from a 15-year-old pianist, also blind, named John William Boone, known then as "Willie."
Young Boone had recently come to Columbia after a
lifetime of being used and abused because of his amazing ability to do
what Blind Tom could do on the piano.
...
A huge crowd was on hand when [John] Lange sprang Willie Boone
on Blind Tom. Melissa Fuell-Cuther's 1915 story of Boone's life tells
us, "The big crowd roared and cheered when he completed his selection.
Blind Tom complimented and encouraged the youngster." The Columbia
Statesman praised Blind Tom for his performance but failed to mention
Boone.
Fuell-Cuther added: "This great musical [duel] was one long to
be remembered by the vast throng." Locals felt Boone was the winner of
the alleged duel.
Now comes a replay of that magical moment.
On Monday, March 3, at the Boone County Historical
Society, Columbians will be treated to a modern version of that 1880
evening. The Boone Piano Trust is sponsoring an evening of piano on
Boone's famous 1891 Chickering Grand.
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