Tom Lemonier (March 29, 1870 — March 14, 1945)
was an actor and composer of popular music during the ragtime era, particularly active in
Black Vaudeville.
His work featured in various musicals.
Some of his work was published by the Gotham-Attucks Music Publishing Company.
Numerous recordings of his songs were made including on Victor Records and Columbia Records.[ Also as announced in advertisement on same page.]
Lemonier became one of the first African-American actors to perform in a Caucasian play when in 1910 he was hired to play a steward in William A. Brady's production of Over Night.
Playbill notes him as a performer in the 1912 musical Little Miss Brown.
Lemonier collaborated with various other musicians and lyricists to produce compositions.
Views on Civil rights
Lemonier opined that Civil rights should be acquired over a period of time, and that forcing the issue would generate hatred instead of progress.
List of selected compositions
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Adopted Child, with W. J. Carle, music; words by Henry Creamer. Recorded 1912 by Bob Roberts.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix B-11904. Adopted child / Bob Roberts,"
]
/ref>
-
Dear Old Moonlight, music; words by Henry Creamer. Recorded by the Peerless Quartet.
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Good Afternoon, Mr. Jenkins, music; words by Cecil Mack. Recorded 1901 by George Walker.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix Pre-matrix996. Good afternoon, Mr. Jenkins / George Walker,"
/ref>
]
-
Honey Lou, music; lyrics by Ed Rose. Recorded 1908 by Collins & Harlan.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix B-6468. Honey Lou / Collins and Harlan,"
/ref> Joel Whitburn estimates the Victor Records version was the sixth best selling recording of late January, 1909.]
-
I Wonder What Makes It Snow, music; lyrics by Tom Brown. Recorded 1904 by Billy Murray.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix A-1079. I wonder what makes it snow / Billy Murray,"
/ref>
]
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I'd Like to Be a Real Lady. Recorded 1908 by Collins & Harlan.
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I'll Be Your Dewdrop Rosey, music; words by Richard H. Gerard. Included in show "Foxy Grandpa", where originally performed by Joseph Hart and Carrie DeMar.
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I'm Just Barely Livin', Dat's All, music; words by Harry Brown. Recorded 1904 by Bob Roberts.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix A-893. I'm just barely livin', dat's all / Bob Roberts,"
/ref>
]
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In My Old Home (in Dixie Land), music; words by Mord Allen. Performed by Bert Williams.
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Is Everybody Happy? (1905) with Ernest Hogan, music; words by Frank Williams. Included in musical play Rufus Rastus.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Columbia matrix 3332. Is everybody happy? / Arthur Collins,"
/ref>
]
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Junie, music; words by Cecil Mack. Recorded 1901 by George Walker.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix Pre-matrix995. Junie / George Walker,"
/ref>
]
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Just One Word of Consolation, with Frank B. Williams. Recorded 1906 by Harry Tally. Recorded 1911 by Will Oakland.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Columbia matrix 19409. Just one word of consolation / Will Oakland,"
/ref> Recorded 1928 by Scrappy Lambert.][Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Brunswick matrix E7260. Just one word of consolation / Scrappy Lambert,"
/ref> Recorded 1936 by Bing Crosby.]
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Lovie Dear, music; words by Fred Bonny. Originally performed by Aida Overton Walker.
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Mary Ellen, music; words by Alfred Bryan. Recorded 1904 by Billy Murray.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix B-885. Mary Ellen / Billy Murray,"
/ref>
]
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Miss Hannah from Savannah, music; words by Cecil Mack. Originally performed by Aida Overton Walker.
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My Cabin Door, music; words by Grant Stewart. Originally performed by Hattie Williams and Sam Bernard in musical production The Rollicking Girl
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My Dear Luzon, music; words by Jesse A. Shipp.
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Play That Rag, music; words by Ed Rose. Recorded 1908 by Collins and Harlan.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Victor matrix B-6467. Play that rag / Collins and Harlan,"
/ref>
]
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Sweetness, music; words by Henry Creamer.
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That Was Me, music; words by Ed Rose. Recorded 1909 by Bob Roberts.
[Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Columbia matrix 4003. That was me / Bob Roberts,"
/ref>
]
External links
