Dett, Robert Nathaniel

Dett, Robert Nathaniel,

1882–1943, American composer and pianist, b. Drummondville, Que. After receiving degrees from Oberlin College and the Eastman School of Music, Dett studied in Paris with Nadia Boulanger. He wrote many choral and piano pieces, the latter including Magnolia Suite (1911) and Cinnamon Grove Suite (1927), some of which draw upon his African-American heritage. Dett also arranged and published a collection of spirituals (4 vol., 1936).