Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Amazing Story of Blind Tom Wiggins, Slave Pianist

Ina Hughs takes note of Deirdre O'Connell's fascinating biography The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist in the Knoxville News Sentinel: "One of the amazing stories of the 19th century, somewhat lost to time, is of a pianist and composer named Tom Wiggins, born blind, born a slave and born with the mysterious magic of a musical savant. "Blind Tom," as he came to be known, is one of the most fascinating chapters in America's bygone days. The Ballad of Blind Tom by Deirdre O'Connell (The Overlook Press) is the biography of a musical genius born into slavery, but at his death, an international celebrity who'd played for presidents and queens."

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