Download The Johnson Brothers James Robinson, MA, CSP AAFSA Historian

The Johnson Brothers
James Robinson, MA, CSP
AAFSA Historian
No, not these guys
James and Rosamond Johnson
James Weldon Johnson – born June 17, 1871
John Rosamond Johnson – born August 11, 1873
Both born in a frame house at the corner of Lee and
Houston Street, on the border of the Durkeeville and La
Villa neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Both attended the Stanton School, where their mother was
a teacher.
Both became teachers at Stanton School.
They became partners on many musical numbers, and coauthored books together.
The two brothers teamed with composer/entertainer Bob Cole in New York, and
were quite successful.
Bob Cole provided the innovations, James Weldon Johnson provided the lyrics, and
Rosamond Johnson provided the music.
They are credited with creating music that changed public interests away from
standard degrading minstrel fare to a more refined black music, avoiding
stereotypes.
The team produced two operettas, Shoo-Fly Regiment and Red Moon, as well as
dozens of popular songs, many of which were included in other shows. The song,
“Under the Bamboo Tree,” sold over 400,000 copies.
J. Rosamond Johnson
Rosamond was a genuine prodigy, teaching himself piano by age
4.
In 1890, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music in
Boston. He then later studied music in London as well.
He returned to Jacksonville, and briefly taught music at the
Stanton School.
In 1900, he put the words of his brother’s poem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice
and Sing” to music. This became first the unofficial, then official
Black National Anthem.
In 1902, he and his brother moved to Harlem, New York, to
pursue a musical career. There, he met and teamed with
another performer, Bob Cole, and the three men were very
successful and productive.
After Coles’ death in 1911, Rosamond acted, danced, and sang
in vaudeville troupes and Broadway musicals.
J. Rosamond Johnson
In 1915, Rosamond founded the New York
Music School Settlement for Colored
People in Harlem.
In 1917, Rosamond joined the Army, and
served as a second lieutenant.
After the war, he starred in Broadway
shows like “Porgy and Bess” and “Cabin in
the Sky.”
Over his career, Rosamond arranged over
150 Negro Spirituals and wrote over 160
theater songs. He also authored four books,
two in collaboration with his brother.
J. Rosamond Johnson’s works are enshrined
in a Special Collection at Yale University
James Weldon Johnson –
Lawyer and Educator
Graduated from Atlanta University in 1894, and in 1897, became
the first African-American in Florida to pass the State Bar Exam.
Taught at Stanton School, and was responsible for making it the
first High School for African-Americans in Florida.
Became the first black principal of an African-American high
school in Florida.
Was instrumental in convincing the City Council to rebuild
Stanton High School as a brick building after the Great Fire in
1901.
In 1934, he became the first African-American professor at New
York University.
In 1936, he was honored with the Spence Chair of Literature at
Fisk University.
James Weldon Johnson –
Diplomat and Civil Rights
Was appointed as U.S. consul to Venezuela and
Nicaragua by President Theodore Roosevelt.
In 1916, he joined the NAACP as a national organizer,
and in 1920, was chosen to be the first black executive
secretary (essentially the Chief Operating Officer) of
the NAACP, until 1930.
Coined the term “Red Summer” to describe the series
of violent race riots during the summer of 1919. His
articles drew national attention to the problem.
Lobbied for the Dawes Bill, which would have made
lynching a Federal crime. Unfortunately, the bill was
killed by Senate Democrats.
James Weldon Johnson –
Poet and Author
In 1900, he wrote the poem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and
Sing,” which was first performed by the Stanton
Chorus in honor of a visit by Booker T. Washington.
The poem was later set to music by his brother,
Rosamond, and became first the unofficial, then
official Black National Anthem.
After a successful collaboration with Bob Cole and his
brother writing over 200 popular songs, he turned to
other writing.
His book, “Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man,” was
a runaway best seller, while his poetry, essays, and
articles earned him the unofficial title of the “Voice of
the Harlem Renaissance.”
Authored five books of poetry, a novel, three
anthologies of music and poetry, several articles, and
an autobiography.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Lift Every Voice and
Sing
The Brothers Johnson
• James Weldon Johnson
• J. Rosamond Johnson
Jacksonville’s favorite sons!