Thomas Bowers (singer)

Thomas J. Bowers
Thomas J. Bowers
Background information
Birth nameThomas J. Bowers
Bornc. 1823
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedOctober 3, 1885
Pennsylvania
OccupationConcert artist
Years active1854–85

Thomas J. Bowers (c. 1823–October 3, 1885),[1] also known as "The Colored Mario",[2] was an American concert artist. He studied voice with African-American concert artist Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and toured with her troupe for a few years before embarking on his own successful solo career. He was the brother of professional singer Sarah Sedgwick Bowers, known as "the Colored Nightingale",[1] and John C. Bowers, a Philadelphia entrepreneur and church organist.

A fictionalized version of Thomas Bowers's life was depicted by actor William Marshall in a 1964 episode of Bonanza titled "Enter Thomas Bowers".

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference nettles was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Washington, Linn; Lawrence, Bette Davis (8 February 1988). "Philadelphia's Black Elite In The Shadows Of History 1840-1940". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 3 May 2014.