Ulysses Kay facts for kids

Ulysses Simpson Kay (born January 7, 1917, in Tucson, Arizona; died May 20, 1995, in Englewood, New Jersey) was an important American composer. He wrote music that often sounded "neoclassical." This means his music was new and modern but also used ideas from older, classical music styles.

A Musician's Journey

Ulysses Kay was the nephew of the famous jazz musician King Oliver. From a young age, Ulysses learned to play the piano, violin, and saxophone. He went to the University of Arizona. There, another African-American composer, William Grant Still, encouraged him a lot.

After college, Ulysses went to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He studied with famous teachers like Howard Hanson and Bernard Rogers.

Learning from the Best

In 1941, Ulysses Kay met a very important neoclassical composer named Paul Hindemith. They met at the Berkshire Music Center. Kay then followed Hindemith to Yale to study with him for a year. This time was very important for his music.

Awards and Studies Abroad

During World War II, Ulysses Kay served as a musician in the United States Navy. After the war, he continued his studies at Columbia University. He received help from a grant called the Julius Rosenwald Fund.

He also received many other important awards. These included the Alice M. Ditson Fellowship and a grant from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He won awards for his pieces "A Short Overture" and "Suite for Orchestra."

From 1949 to 1953, Kay lived and studied in Rome, Italy. He was able to do this thanks to special scholarships. These included a Fulbright Scholarship, the Rome Prize, and another Julius Rosenwald Fellowship.

Working and Teaching

From 1953 to 1968, Ulysses Kay worked for Broadcast Music, Inc.. This organization helps musicians get paid when their music is played.

In 1968, he became a special professor at Lehman College. This college is part of the City University of New York. He taught there for 20 years before he retired.

As a composer, Ulysses Kay was best known for his pieces for orchestras and choirs. He also wrote five operas. His last opera was called Frederick Douglass. It was performed in 1991 at the New Jersey State Opera.

Ulysses Kay lived in Teaneck, New Jersey. He passed away on May 20, 1995, at the age of 78. He had health problems related to Parkinson's disease.

Operas

• The Juggler of Our Lady (written 1956, first shown 1962)
• The Boor (written 1955, first shown 1968)
• The Capitoline Venus (written 1969, first shown 1971)
• Jubilee (written 1974–1976, first shown 1976)
• Frederick Douglass (written 1979–85, first shown 1991)