Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)

Nathaniel Dett was a Canadian composer, pianist, organist, and music professor who was born in Drummondville, Ontario. He spent most of his musical career working in the United States. During his lifetime he was a leading black composer who was known for his spirituals and African-American folk songs which he used as a basis for choral and piano compositions written in a 19th century romantic style. Nathaniel Dett performed as a pianist and choral director at Carnegie Hall.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a Canadian choral group that specializes in African-American classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk, and blues. It is named after the black composer Nathaniel Dett. The Nathaniel Dett Choral has performed in the Maritimes, Quebec, Manitoba, Western Canada, the U.S., and France.

Here is a recording of Nathaniel Dett’s Ave Maria performed by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. I hope that you enjoy this music.