Legendary African American Singer Leaves Mark on History

In the late 1940’s, when racism posed barriers to many aspiring African American artists, Riderwood’s soprano Margaret Tynes graced the stages of opera houses across American, Europe, and Canada. Her proud accomplishments serve as a tribute to determination, dedication, and undeniable talent.

“I never had to audition for anything, everything came to me and had been prepared by God,” says Tynes, who performed before a national television audience for the first time on Ed Sullivan Show during 1958, just a week after Ed Sullivan heard her sing at the funeral of jazz and blues legend W.C. Handy at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Rising Star

As a child prodigy with a very mature voice, Margaret first wowed audiences during a singing competition at the age of six. Her amazing talent won her $500 that day. Her father, an educator and pastor, foretold his daughter’s success saying she was destined to bring joy she would one day bring others through the ministry of singing.

Margaret’s professional career began a years later at the New York City Center Opera Company. She won principal roles in the opera classics, Carmen, Aida, and Macbeth. During these formative years, she shared the stage with many legends, including Harry Belafonte in the musical “Sing, Man, Sing” and recorded “A Drum is a Woman” with Duke Ellington.

A Legend in the Making

When Duke Ellington first called to ask Margaret to record with him, she thought it was a practical joke. “I got a call in the middle of the night from man who said, ‘hello I’m Duke Ellington’ and I responded, ‘yeah, I’m the President of the United States’, so I hung up,” says Margaret.

During that conversation Margaret learned that Ellington had written the music with her in mind, even though she was a classically trained singer. Agreeing to join the legendary jazz musician for the recording, it is today one of the works she is most proud of.

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