Harry Pace received his education at Atlanta University. He worked his way through school as a printer's devil and graduated at the age of 19. He was valedictorian of his class in 1903. He continued in the printing business in Memphis and put together a magazine called The Moon Illustrated Weekly. In 1912, he started collaborating and writing songs with W.C. Handy in New York City. They published sheet music and worked with composers. Ultimately, Pace wanted to shift the business model, seeing the popularity of the phonograph. Handy wasn't interested and Pace resigned from their business.
In 1921, Pace established Black Swan Records, the first black-owned recording company. Pace was instrumental in publishing music from black recording artists and musicians of the time. Black Swan was first to record Ethel Waters singing "Down Time Home," which launched her career. It sold over 100,000 copies in the first 6 months. He signed black musicians from all genres and showcased their talent, launching others careers as well. After a couple of years of success larger white-owned recording companies started pulling black musicians away and over time due to that competition, he was forced to declare bankruptcy. He then sold Black Swan to Paramount, who discontinued it.
Pace went on to have a successful career in insurance and also became a lawyer. He married and had two children. He began passing for white around this time. His progeny only discovered his African ancestry 50 years after his death.
In 1921, Pace established Black Swan Records, the first black-owned recording company. Pace was instrumental in publishing music from black recording artists and musicians of the time. Black Swan was first to record Ethel Waters singing "Down Time Home," which launched her career. It sold over 100,000 copies in the first 6 months. He signed black musicians from all genres and showcased their talent, launching others careers as well. After a couple of years of success larger white-owned recording companies started pulling black musicians away and over time due to that competition, he was forced to declare bankruptcy. He then sold Black Swan to Paramount, who discontinued it.
Pace went on to have a successful career in insurance and also became a lawyer. He married and had two children. He began passing for white around this time. His progeny only discovered his African ancestry 50 years after his death.
Harry Pace received his education at Atlanta University. He worked his way through school as a printer's devil and graduated at the age of 19. He was valedictorian of his class in 1903. He continued in the printing business in Memphis and put together a magazine called The Moon Illustrated Weekly. In 1912, he started collaborating and writing songs with W.C. Handy in New York City. They published sheet music and worked with composers. Ultimately, Pace wanted to shift the business model, seeing the popularity of the phonograph. Handy wasn't interested and Pace resigned from their business.
In 1921, Pace established Black Swan Records, the first black-owned recording company. Pace was instrumental in publishing music from black recording artists and musicians of the time. Black Swan was first to record Ethel Waters singing "Down Time Home," which launched her career. It sold over 100,000 copies in the first 6 months. He signed black musicians from all genres and showcased their talent, launching others careers as well. After a couple of years of success larger white-owned recording companies started pulling black musicians away and over time due to that competition, he was forced to declare bankruptcy. He then sold Black Swan to Paramount, who discontinued it.
Pace went on to have a successful career in insurance and also became a lawyer. He married and had two children. He began passing for white around this time. His progeny only discovered his African ancestry 50 years after his death.
In 1921, Pace established Black Swan Records, the first black-owned recording company. Pace was instrumental in publishing music from black recording artists and musicians of the time. Black Swan was first to record Ethel Waters singing "Down Time Home," which launched her career. It sold over 100,000 copies in the first 6 months. He signed black musicians from all genres and showcased their talent, launching others careers as well. After a couple of years of success larger white-owned recording companies started pulling black musicians away and over time due to that competition, he was forced to declare bankruptcy. He then sold Black Swan to Paramount, who discontinued it.
Pace went on to have a successful career in insurance and also became a lawyer. He married and had two children. He began passing for white around this time. His progeny only discovered his African ancestry 50 years after his death.
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