Sissieretta Jones was first called the “Black Patti” in August 1888, shortly after auditioning in New York City as the lead soprano for the Tennessee Jubilee Singers, a singing company about to leave on a tour of the West Indies and South America.
Some have said the New York Clipper newspaper referred to Sissieretta as the “Black Patti,” comparing her to the world-famous white soprano Adelina Patti (1843-1919). No proof has been found to support this, although Sissieretta, in her later years, said it was the New York Clipper who first dubbed her “Black Patti.” An African American newspaper, the New York Age, did use the term “Black Patti” in its August 4, 1888 edition.
Regardless of who first called Sissieretta the “Black Patti,” the name stuck and she was called this during the rest of her career. She did not really like the name, although it was useful to her managers for marketing and publicity purposes. Early in her career Sissieretta said, “I am afraid people will think I consider myself the equal of (Adelina) Patti herself. I assure you I do not think so, but I have a voice and I am striving to win the favor of the public . . . . Perhaps some day I may be as great in my way, but that is a long way ahead.”
It was not unusual for African American entertainers to have nicknames, or sobriquets as they are often called. In fact, it was quite common in the late 1800s. Several black female concert singers had sobriquets: Flora Batson was called the “Queen of Song;” Marie Selika was dubbed the “Brown Patti” and the “Creole Patti;” and Elizabeth Greenfield was known as the “Black Swan.”
2-14-12
Maureen D. Lee