Henry Hart (musician) facts for kids
Henry Hart (born 1839, died 1915) was an amazing American musician. He was a composer, singer, and violinist. Henry led his own group called the Henry Hart Minstrels. People in Indianapolis, Indiana, even called him a "social necessity"! His family also had a famous musical group. One historian said they were "the best-known group of colored entertainers in the state."
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Henry Hart's Early Life
Henry Hart was born on June 8, 1839, in Frankfort, Kentucky. His parents were Frederick Hart and Judith Brown.
When Henry was young, he moved to Cleveland. There, he learned to play the violin. He even played in a band with white musicians called Stanton's band. In 1864, he traveled to New Orleans by playing his violin on a steamboat. In New Orleans, he played as the main violinist at Prescott's Museum. He also married his wife, Sarah F. Hart, who was a professional pianist. They played music together in New Orleans until 1867.
Sarah F. Hart was born on September 6, 1849, in Indiana. Her mother was Angeline Mason, who was born in Arkansas.
Henry Hart's Music Compositions
From 1867 to 1878, Henry Hart lived in Evansville, Indiana. During this time, he wrote and published many songs. Here are some of his famous works:
Popular Songs and Dances
- Those Charming Feet (1870): This was a song and dance piece for piano. It was featured by a famous minstrel performer named Billy Emerson. You can find this song at the Library of Congress.
- My Thoughts Are of Thee (1871): This was a song with a chorus for piano. The words were written by Frank Manson Gilbert, a well-known writer from Evansville. This song is also available from the Library of Congress.
- Good Sweet Ham (1873): Henry Hart wrote both the words and the music for this song! It was sung by George Wilson. The song's words talk about how much someone loves sweet ham. You can download this piece from the Library of Congress.
- Daffney Do You Love Me (1875): The words for this song were by Sam Lucas, a famous African-American singer and actor. Sam Lucas sang this song with great success. It's available from the Library of Congress.
- Carve dat Possum (1875): This song was likely Henry Hart's most famous tune. Even though it was published under Sam Lucas's name at first, Henry Hart was the true author. He had to work hard to get credit for it! This song has been performed many times since 1875. You can find it at the Library of Congress.
Instrumental Pieces
- Idlewild Mazurka (1871): This was a piano solo dedicated to Captain Gus Fowler. The title refers to a place near the Ohio River that later became Idlewild Park. You can download this piece from the Library of Congress.
- On the Beautiful Lake Erie (1873): These were three waltzes for piano. They are available from the Library of Congress.
- 7:30-11: Galop (1873): This was a fast dance piece for piano. It was dedicated to John E. Martin, who worked for the Evansville and Crawfordsville Railroad. You can find this galop on Google Books.
- Gipsey Queen Waltzes (1872): These two waltzes for piano are available from the University of Virginia.
- The Evansville Favorite Waltz (1874): This piano piece was likely played at the grand opening of the St. George Hotel in Evansville. A writer named Frank M. Gilbert said that Henry Hart's band was considered "the very king of music" at that time. You can download this waltz from the Library of Congress.
Henry Hart's Minstrel Troupe
In 1874, Henry Hart started his own minstrel group with talented African-American performers. They traveled and performed in Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana. A reviewer from The Kokomo Democrat said their shows were the "best entertainment" and that they showed the Southern plantation negro's life in a special way, without anything rude or offensive.
Indianapolis Years: A Social Necessity
Around 1878 or 1879, Henry Hart and his family moved to Indianapolis. He became a very important musician for social events in the city. He and his wife, Sarah, taught their daughters to play instruments.
In 1901, The Indianapolis News wrote an article about Henry Hart, calling him "A Social Necessity." The article said that if you wanted to plan a dance or a party, Henry Hart was the first person you called! He played for many important events and people.
The Hart Family Orchestra
Henry Hart's music wasn't just him alone. He had a family of talented daughters who played in his orchestra.
- Myrtle Hart played the piano and later the harp.
- William (also called Willie) learned to play the piano and cello.
- Hazel played the piano and became an expert on smaller instruments like the trap drum, xylophone, and bells.
- Clothilde played the drum.
The Hart family orchestra could play all kinds of music for dances. Henry Hart sometimes added a cornet or a viola to their group.
Henry Hart was friends with many important people in Indiana. He played for several governors and for their inauguration balls. He also provided music for the opening parties of many clubs, like the Columbia Club and the Country Club. He even played for visiting Presidents like Rutherford B. Hayes, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison. Henry proudly said, "It's pretty good honor to have played for three kings!"
Myrtle Hart: The Harpist
Henry Hart's daughter, Myrtle Hart, became a professional harpist. An article in The Indianapolis World called her "the only colored harpist in this country." She even gave a concert in Washington, D.C..
A special story about Myrtle's harp was shared in her father's obituary. In 1893, Henry Hart really wanted a harp for Myrtle. There was a beautiful harp at the World's Fair in Chicago that cost almost $1,000. A kind man named Colonel Eli Lilly bought the harp for Henry and let him pay for it over time. This new harp made the Hart family orchestra even more popular, and they quickly paid off the debt.
Myrtle studied the harp for three years in Chicago with a famous teacher named Edmund Schuëcker. He was a professor from Germany and later became the harp soloist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Myrtle was a very talented and graceful young woman who played "by inspiration."
Hazel Hart Hendricks: Teacher and Band Leader
Hazel Hart, another of Henry and Sarah Hart's daughters, became a teacher in Indianapolis. In 1928, she became the principal of School #37. She even earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Butler University.
Hazel was also a talented musician. In 1935, she led a "novelty band" from her school. This band was special because they used instruments that weren't traditional musical instruments. Hazel started the band because her students loved making music, even if it wasn't "high quality." She always went with the band to their performances and played the piano while a student led the band.
Sadly, Hazel died in a bus accident in 1935 while returning from a performance. The school where she was principal was renamed the Hazel Hart Hendricks School in her honor. It closed in 2008.
