"The Black Swan": Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (1824-1876)
Elizabeth Taylor was born and enslaved in the region of Natchez, Mississippi. In the 1820s, her owner Mrs. Holliday Greenfield moved to Philadelphia and took Elizabeth with her.
Holliday became a Quaker, and freeing her property. When her parents to Liberia, Elizabeth remained with Greenfield and took her last name.
Greenfield became a church vocalist and learned how to play the harp and piano. She developed a stunning multi-octave vocal range, and with it, the ability to sing soprano, tenor and bass.
By the 1840s, Greenfield was performing for private events. In 1851, Greenfield went on a multiple city tour and the following year, music critics nicknamed her "African Nightingale" and, later, "Black Swan."
Greenfield faced racism: demeaning newspaper revues and threats o violence. In 1853, scheduled to perform at Metropolitan Hall in New York City, a threat of arson came in. Still, the concert was a success, and Greenfield embarked on a tour of England.
After arriving in England, Greenfield's manager refused to cover her expenses.She contacted Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the activist arranged for Greenfield to meet the Duchess of Sutherland.
The Duchess became her patron along with the Duchesses of Norfolk and Argyle. Greenfield also came to work with and receive tutelage from royal musical advisor George Smart.
In 1854, she performed a concert for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
After returning to the United States, Greenfield continued performing into the 1860s.
She performed benefits for black charities. She also worked as a teacher, guiding vocalists like Thomas J. Bowers and Carrie Thomas.
In 1876, Greenfield died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Years later, Black Swan Records—the record label home of figures like Fletcher Henderson, Ethel Waters, R. Nathaniel Dett and Trixie Smith—was named in the historical singer's honor.
James E. Brunson
