William grant still • composer

1895-1978
William Grant Still was known as the "Dean of African-American Composers." He was the first Black composer to have a symphony performed by a professional orchestra in the United States in 1930. Still also became the first Black American to conduct a major symphony orchestra in the United States, when he led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1936.

Click here to hear Still's Afro-American Symphony.