Holland, Justin

views updated

Holland, Justin

Holland, Justin, black American guitarist, teacher, and composer; b. Norfolk County, Va., 1819; d. Cleveland, March 24, 1887. He made his way to Boston when he was 14 and studied piano, guitar, and flute, and then attended Oberlin (Ohio) Coll. (1841). In 1845 he settled in Cleveland, where, in spite of racial prejudice, he carved out a successful career as a guitarist, guitar teacher, and composer. He publ. Holland’s Comprehensive Method for the Guitar (1874) and Holland’s Modern Method for the Guitar (1876), both of which were used throughout the U.S. and Europe. His compositions included many pieces involving the guitar, including solos, duets, music for guitar and piano, songs with guitar accompaniment, and arrangements for operatic airs for guitar and violin or flute.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

About this article

Holland, Justin

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article