Spreadin' Rhythm Around

<p><em>Spreadin' Rhythm Around: Black Popular Songwriters</em><em>1880-1930</em> is a classic work on a little-studied subject in American music history: the contribution of African-American songwriters to the world of popular song. Hailed by <em>Publishers Weekly</em> as thoroughly researched and entertainingly written this work documents the careers of songwriters like James A. Bland (Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny) Bert Williams (Nobody) W. C. Handy (St. Louis Blues) Noble Sissle Eubie Blake (I'm Just Wild About Harry) and many more. Richly illustrated with rare photographs from sheet music newspapers and other unique sources the book documents an entire era of performance when black singers dancers and actors were active on the New York stage.<br><br>In sheer depth of research new information and full coverage <em>Spreadin' Rhythm Around</em> offers a comprehensive picture of the contributions of black musicians to American popular song. For anyone interested in the history of jazz pop song or Broadway this book will be a revelation.</p>