Composer and pianist Charles Wakefield Cadman was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1881; he dropped out of school at 13 and taught himself to play the piano, supplemented by music lessons. He wrote and performed a variety of music, and is perhaps best-known for music based on Native American influences. He lived on reservations with the Omaha and Winnebago tribes, learning to play their traditional instruments, and wrote several articles on Native American music. Cadman later moved to California, and took a Doctorate in Music at the University of Southern California; he also composed film scores, and performed at the Hollywood Bowl. He became a popular composer and songwriter, working in multiple genres, including operetta, Chamber music, and orchestral suites.
John Alan Sherman was born in Ohio in 1908, and moved with his family to California in about 1920, where he met and befriended Charles Wakefield Cadman.
From the description of John A. Sherman collection about Charles Wakefield Cadman, 1913-1998 (bulk 1913-1974). (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 765410463
