John H. Lee
Encyclopedia
John H. Lee was an American banjoist, composer and author of the late 19th century.
. He also performed in a minstrel show
known as "Adams and Lee" for a couple of years. In 1879, He joined the "J. H. Haverly
's Minstrels when they were about to go on a tour in England
. While in England
, he met the banjoist William A. Huntley and soon in 1885, they began performing together as a duo. Their partnership lasted until June 24, 1887, when Lee returned to the states.
His health began to deteriorate and he became a patient at St. Vincent's Asylum in New York
in September 1888. However he was transferred to National City, California
, in hope that the more congenial climate would help him to recover. He moved to San Diego, California
where he started the "San Diego Banjo and Guitar Club." He died in 1890 in San Diego
.
Biography
Lee worked as a treasurer at Madison Square Theatre in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He also performed in a minstrel show
Minstrel show
The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the Civil War, black people in blackface....
known as "Adams and Lee" for a couple of years. In 1879, He joined the "J. H. Haverly
J. H. Haverly
J. H. Haverly was an entrepreneur and promoter of blackface minstrel shows. During the 1870s and 1880s, he created an entertainment empire centered on his minstrel troupes, particularly Haverly's United Mastodon Minstrels and Haverly's Colored Minstrels. Under his guidance, these troupes grew to...
's Minstrels when they were about to go on a tour in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. While in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he met the banjoist William A. Huntley and soon in 1885, they began performing together as a duo. Their partnership lasted until June 24, 1887, when Lee returned to the states.
His health began to deteriorate and he became a patient at St. Vincent's Asylum in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in September 1888. However he was transferred to National City, California
National City, California
National City is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 58,582 at the 2010 census, up from 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County and has a historic past.-History:...
, in hope that the more congenial climate would help him to recover. He moved to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
where he started the "San Diego Banjo and Guitar Club." He died in 1890 in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.