Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (June 14, 1932, Manhattan, New York City or possibly (unconfirmed) Winston-Salem, North Carolina – March 9, 2004, Chicago) was an American composer whose interests spanned the worlds of jazz, dance, pop, film, television, and classical music.

Perkinson's mother was active in music and the arts as a piano teacher, church organist, and director of a theater company.

He later transferred to the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with Vittorio Giannini and Charles Mills.

Perkinson composed a ballet for Ailey titled For Bird, With Love, inspired by the music of Charlie Parker.

He also composed music for films such as The McMasters (1970), Together for Days (1972), A Warm December (1973), Thomasine & Bushrod (1974), The Education of Sonny Carson (1974), Amazing Grace (1974), Mean Johnny Barrows (1976), and the documentary Montgomery to Memphis (1970) about Martin Luther King Jr.

Composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson seen here conducting, Courtesy Center for Black Music Research, Fair use image. [ 1 ]