The great soprano Sissieretta Jones (1868-1933), also known as the “Black Patti,” was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 28, 2013. She was recognized for her many achievements during her 29-year career on the stage. Sissieretta was one of the first black women to sing at Carnegie Hall. She also sang at the White House, London’s Covent Garden, Madison Square Garden and hundreds of opera houses and theaters throughout the United States and Canada. Her career took her to the West Indies and parts of South America for two tours and to Europe, where she toured for nine months.
This gifted singer, famous in her lifetime, has been virtually forgotten today, but that is beginning to change thanks to the efforts of many. My 2012 biography, Sissieretta Jones: “The Greatest Singer of Her Race,” 1868-1933 (published by the University of South Carolina Press) provided more information about Sissieretta’s life than ever available before and helped stir interest in this great vocalist. Then, with help and support from the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and its chief advisor Ray Rickman of the Rickman Group in Providence, RI, we worked together to bring awareness of Sissieretta’s achievements.
That awareness took another step forward on April 26th and 27th. Thanks to a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, and to sponsors Opera Providence and the RI Black Heritage Society, folks in Rhode Island got an opportunity to learn more about Sissieretta and to hear a sample of her repertoire performed talented vocalist, Cheryl Albright, and accompanist Rod Luther.
The Sissieretta weekend kicked off Friday, April 26th with my lecture about Sissieretta. The topic was “Sissieretta Jones: Navigating Race Through Song.” It took place at the Old Brick School House on Providence’s East Side. This brick school house was called Meeting Street School back when Sissieretta was a girl and attended school there. After my lecture I talked with many people about Sissieretta, including one gentleman who remembered seeing Sissieretta at church when he was a child.
On Saturday, April 27th, we were treated to a concert of selections Sissieretta had sung during her career. This took place at the beautiful and historic Congdon Street Baptist Church, where Sissieretta worshipped after she retired to Providence. While waiting for the concert to begin, pianist Rod Luther played a selection of music from Sissieretta’s time. Then, Sissieretta (Cheryl Albright) made her entrance, walking confidently to the front of the church and stepping onto the platform. She performed six selections, including “Ave Maria,” “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls,” and Sissieretta’s signature song, “Old Folks at Home,” better known as “Swanee River.” Cheryl’s performance transported us back to Sissieretta’s time and made us feel like the great soprano was there singing for us. It’s a shame no recordings of Sissieretta’s voice have ever been discovered.
Then on Sunday, April 28, 2013, the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame held its second annual induction ceremony in Pawtucket, RI. Ray Rickman and I were pleased to receive the award to recognize Sissieretta’s induction into the RI Music Hall of Fame. Later that afternoon, I got the honor of unveiling the placard listing Sissieretta’s achievements that now hangs in the hall of the RI Music Hall of Fame at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, RI.
All these events made this a magical Sissieretta Jones weekend. Many thanks to all who participated and to the many sponsors. Special recognition goes to Robb Dimmick, who coordinated and directed the Friday and Saturday events. He did an outstanding job and worked tirelessly for months to make these events so successful. Also, a big thanks to Ray Rickman and his staff at the Rickman Group for their help and support. Let’s hope Sissieretta continues to get the recognition she deserves and that more people around the country come to know about her. Maybe someone will make a movie or documentary that will help bring her story to life.
Maureen D. Lee
May 5, 2013
Author of Sissieretta Jones: “The Greatest Singer of Her Race,” 1868-1933 (published May 2012 by the University of South Carolina Press)
