Many of the men who performed with A. Jack Thomas (standing, center) were highly skilled, classically trained musicians. Harrison Ward (seated 4th from left), who played flute, piccolo and violin with equal facility, studied ...

From the "Sounds & Stories" online exhibit

From the "Sounds & Stories" online exhibit.

Photograph, oral history and transcript of interview.

Oral history and transcript of interview.

Oral history interview.

James Hubert "Eubie" Blake was born on February 7, 1883, in a four room house, 319 Forrest Street (near Belair Market). Blake studied harmony with W. Lewellyn Wilson and conducting with Will Marion Cook (who had studied ...

Marian Anderson sang at Baltimore's Trinity A.M.E. Church under the auspices of the Cosmopolitan Choral Society in 1919. The concert was reviewed by the Afro-American's critic, W. Llewellyn Wilson. (Photo courtesy of RCA Victor)

"Cab" Calloway began his meteoric rise in the world of music in Baltimore. Inspired by Chick Webb, Calloway put together his own band, playing Dixieland and hot jazz at a restaurant at Gay and Baltimore streets. By the ...

Baltimore's famous Commonwealth Band was said to be the best musical organization in the city - black or white. For many years the leader of the band was A. Jack Thomas, who later founded the Aeolian Conservatory in ...