Tom Lemonier

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. Some of his work was published by the Gotham-Attucks Music Publishing Company. Early Life Thomas Lemonier was born on March 29th, 1869 in Manhattan, New York to parents William and Sarah. Lemonier has one brother, William. Lemonier’s grandfather, Augustus, was enslaved in Cuba before moving to New York City and falling in love with a woman. Augustus owned a tobacco shop in Hester Street in the Lower East Side neighborhood. Lemonier first got into music by playing the piano as a boy, but was well known in the city due to his harmonica skill. Career Numerous recordings of his songs were made including on Victor Records and Columbia Records. In 1909 he joined the staff of music publisher Rose & Snyder. 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. Previously these characters had been performed in blackface. In addition to the original production, he was part of a national tour of this show. In 1915 Le