James J. Vaughan, also known as James Vaughn (1870–1935), was a composer, musical director, and bandleader in the United States.[1] He wrote music for several musicals.[2] He was among the first African-American musicians to play at Carnegie Hall in 1912.[3]
Vaughan wrote songs for several Will Marion Cook musical productions.[3][4] He and James Reese Europe organized the Clef Club, a union for African-American musicians. It was integrated with the American Federation of Musicians in 1914.[3]
He worked for Bert Williams and George Walker.[5] He conducted the orchestra and performed piano accompaniment on tour in In Dahomey, for which he was also credited with musical direction and recognized in The Black Manhattan Trilogy – Three Volume Set.[6][7][8]