Will Accooe facts for kids

Willis J. Accooe (born 1874 – died April 26, 1904) was an American musician and composer. He was best known for writing music for musicals. The Library of Congress website called him a key songwriter. They said he was important during the start of black musicals.

Will Accooe's Life and Music Journey

Will Accooe was born in Winchester, Virginia. His father was John Harris Accooe, a preacher. His mother was Anna Accooe. Will married Alice Mackey, who was also a musician. He studied at Princess Anne Academy in Maryland.

In 1897, Accooe played the organ at the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. His song, Tennessee Centennial March, became very popular.

Accooe worked as a music director for several shows. He directed music for John William Isham's Octoroons, a popular entertainment group. He also worked with famous performers like Bert Williams. In 1898, he teamed up with Bob Cole and Billy Johnson. They created A Trip to Coontown. This was a very important show. It was the first New York musical written, produced, and performed by black artists. Accooe wrote songs for this show and was its music director.

He also worked on musicals for Broadway that were for white audiences. These included The Belle of Bridgeport (1900) and The Liberty Belles (1901). He also worked on The Casino Girl (1900-1901).

In 1901, he wrote a musical called The Cannibal King with Will Marion Cook. However, this show was never performed. He also helped compose music for Harry B. Smith's musical comedy, The Liberty Belles, in 1901. Accooe composed some music for the show Sons of Ham. In 1903, he conducted the orchestra for a production of this show. It was put on by Avery and Hart.

In 1903, he wrote a comic opera called The Volunteers. But he became very sick, and the show stopped production.

Will Accooe wrote his own funeral speech shortly before he passed away. He died at age 30 on April 26, 1904. He passed away in Brooklyn, New York.

Famous Songs by Will Accooe

Here are some of the songs Will Accooe wrote or helped write:

• Chicken (1899) - He co-wrote this song.
• Lulu: I loves yer, Lulu (1901) - He co-wrote this song.
• Love Has Claimed Its Own (1901) - He co-wrote this song.
• Black Patti Waltzes
• Ma Dandy Soldier Coon (1900)
• On the Road to Cairo Town (1903) - He co-wrote this with James O'Dea.
• In a Birch Canoe (1904)
• The Phrenologist Coon - This song was recorded five times. It was sung by either Bert Williams or Silas Leachman.
• Tennessee Centennial March (1897)

See also

• African-American musical theater