Jacob J. Sawyer (1856-1885) might have been part of America’s musical pantheon had he lived beyond 28 years; during his brief career as an arranger and composer, he created over 65 works. Born in Boston, he toured the U.S. for a decade as a pianist-composer and music director for numerous African American ensembles, including the famous Hyers Sisters (Anna and Emma) between 1875 and 1879. Sawyer visited Cincinnati in December 1878 and January 1879, performing his compositions for the Hyers’ pioneering production, Out of Bondage (1876), with an all-Black cast, portraying a dignified musical journey from enslavement to freedom. Sawyer stayed in Cincinnati the following year, publishing two new works, Out of Bondage Waltzes [op.2] and The Seventh Exposition Grand March [op.3] for a military band, performed at the grand opening of Music Hall’s north and south halls in fall of 1879. Additionally, Sawyer studied violin and music theory at the College of Music of Cincinnati, next door to Music Hall. Sawyer returned to Boston in 1880, where he continued composing before succumbing to tuberculosis. | 
