R. Nathaniel Dett

Robert Nathaniel Dett, often known as R. Nathaniel Dett, was a composer in the United States and Canada. During his lifetime he was one of the most successful black composers, known for his use of folk songs and spirituals for choral and piano compositions in the romantic style.^[1]

He was among the first Black composers during the early years of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. His works often appeared among the programs of Will Marion Cook's New York Syncopated Orchestra. Dett himself performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Boston Symphony Hall as a pianist and choir director.