the firstdsoe is african-american to sing on broadway. waco inorn here in 1897. although there is a little controversy. seen 1898, 1902, but we're say 1897. he's buried here in wake waco. he lived a relatively short life, 1943 he dies. in the rich life that he had between, we have his archival .ollection of about 25 boxes my understanding is the only other place that has much about him is in the new york public library. wells classically trained, educated as a singer, composer, the piano, conductor. the publicnown to dig "showboat," one of zigfield'sginal -- original production. man river." the piece was written for his voice. know "showboat" from the movie version but it first.ually on stage he was -- sang that particular man river." so what we have from his ownection is some of his notation that deals with "old arranged by jules bledsoe, jerome kearn, of the composers.of but you can see his notation on it. his collection is prolific with his original pieces, works that he would rewrite, particularly negro spirituals. but he was just a gifted and individual. oth