Music and Some Highly Musical PeopleTrotter, James M.
History
Music and Some Highly Musical People
Trotter, James M.
African American musicians -- Biography; African Americans -- Music
"The family, as has been before announced, are colored, and
consequently labor under some disadvantages; but we predict
for them a successful future. Such superior musical powers
must win for them a reputation that will bring its
recompense. The pieces they sing are selected with good
taste, and evince a determination to deserve public favor.
And we may here say, that we believe the Luca family, in the
quiet and unostentatious display of their musical powers,
are doing more to secure position for the colored man than
all the theorists and speculators about the right of man
have yet accomplished in America. The possession of such
talent, and its cultivation, show genius and industry which
any man might emulate; and, when the colored men shall be
represented in all the arts and sciences by those who are
able to occupy front ranks, they will need no moralist to
assert their rights: they can then maintain their own
position. The human mind is so constituted, that it will
always pay homage to genius, let it be exhibited under a
white or black surface.
"A large number of the audience joined in a request that the
Luca family repeat their concert; and they have consented to
do so on Friday evening next, when we hope to see an
audience out worthy of their superior merits. In the mean
time we commend the Luca family to the press wherever they
shall go, as every way worthy of their aid and indorsement."
During their second tour of Ohio, in 1859, the "Lucas" met and joined
the famous Hutchinson family, giving many entertainments in
conjunction with them. The Hutchinsons thus proved the entire
sincerity of their professions that they loved their brother man "for
a' that." The press of the country was much excited over this novel
union, and the expressions emanating from the former were various.
Without, however, minding the pros or cons, these two troupes
travelled more than a month together, experiencing a pleasurable and
profitable season.
I append below two advertisements of concerts given by these troupes
at the time mentioned:--
(I.)
[Illustration:
THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY,
ASA B., LIZZIE C., and LITTLE FREDDY;
with the
LUCA BROTHERS,
JOHN AND ALEXANDER, AND CLEVELAND,
THE WONDERFUL PIANIST!
_HUMOR, SENTIMENT, AND OPERA!_
From the established reputation of both these companies, a
rare treat may be expected.]
(II.)
[Illustration:
By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS,
THE HUTCHINSONS
will be assisted at their
_CONCERT_
in this place by the
LUCA FAMILY,
with their
Wonderful Pianist!]
As a reflection of the terrible, the foul spirit of caste, then so
largely prevailing, I regret that it is my duty to append the
following elegant (?) extract from a paper published at Fremont, O.,
Feb. 25, 1859:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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