William Grant Still

1955-1959

1955

Marian Anderson performs at the Metropolitan Opera as Ulrica in Verdi's The Masked Ball She is the first black artist to perform with the Met.

Leontyne Price appears on NBC Television in Puccini's Tosca.

Charles "Chuck" Berry (1926-) records his first song "Maybellene."

Antoine "Fats" Domino (1928- ) records "Blueberry Hill."

1956

William Grant Still composes Ennanga, for harp and orchestra or flute and strings.

Premiere of the Nat "King" Cole television show.

James Brown (1928- ) records "Please, Please, Please," the first of his hits.

Concert baritone McHenry Boatwright (1928- ) makes his debut at Jordan Hall in Boston.

Art Tatum, jazz pianist, dies in Los Angeles, California.

1957

William "Count" Basie (1904-1984) gives a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II of England.

1958

"Little Richard" Penniman (1932- ) records "Tutti Frutti."

The Monterey Jazz Festival founded in Monterey, California.

1959

Motown Records founded in Detroit Michigan.