William Grant Still

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CAREER NOTES
May 11, 1895 – December 3, 1978

WILLIAM GRANT STILL is distinctively American in every respect. He is revered as “The Dean of African-American Composers,” even though his music transcends mere labels. He is, above all, a composer with universal appeal.

Born in rural Mississippi and reared in Little Rock, Arkansas, Still experienced life in the South, and witnessed the dawn of a new century that would challenge his creative mind. By the time he left the Oberlin Conservatory in 1918, the Jazz Age was in full swing and Still made use of all its advantages, developing many new musical ideas and innovations. While he supported his family, he continued his studies. This period found the young composer writing, orchestrating and arranging for W. C. Handy, Paul Whiteman, Sophie Tucker, Artie Shaw and Willard Robison. Still furthered his studies with George Chadwick and Edgar Varèse; with this musical growth came both commissions and fellowships. Performances of his compositions and critical acclaim followed, convincing him that his dreams of success could be realized.

The composer's output is most impressive: over 150 works which include nine operas, five symphonies, four ballets and compositions for piano, voice, band, chorus and various chamber works. Since his death, there have been many tributes to his memory, the most important being the increasing performances of his music.