Wolfe, Jacques, 1896-1973

Jacques Wolfe (1896-1973) was born in Rumania. His family emigrated to New York while he was still a child. His interest in Negro spirituals began when his military band was assigned to a post in North Carolina, and he went on to do research into African-American music; he is perhaps best known for his compositions "De Glory Road," based on a poem by Clement Wood, and "Short'nin Bread," though it is uncertain whether the latter was an original composition or a transcription. Wolfe also wrote choral music, the music for the 1938 Broadway show "John Henry," and an opera, "The Trysting Tree." In his later life he became an accomplished photographer and his work has been shown in art galleries across the American South.