ArtistInfo

Roland Hayes

voc, 1887-1977 US, Gordon County, Georgia
Singer / Composer of World and Folk

Roland Hayes (June 3, 1887 – January 1, 1977) was an American lyric tenor and composer. It is a common myth that Hayes was the first world-renowned African-American concert artist. He had a couple of predecessors that acclaimed fame. People like Sissieretta Jones and Marie Selika were very known, but the nature of their performances were not minstrelsy and that made it not possible for them to be recorded by recording companies. The recording companies wanted a vaudeville type of singer. Hayes was able to break this barrier in his career and in 1939 he recorded with Columbia. Critics lauded his abilities and linguistic skills with songs in French, German and Italian.

Genres

• World
• Folk
• Classical
• R&B/Soul
• Blues