BOWERS, THOMAS

BOWERS, THOMAS (also known as THE COLORED MARIO). Concert singer (c1823 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 3 October 1885 in Philadelphia). He obtained his early musical training from his brother, John C. Bowers (1811-1873), who was an organist at the St. Thomas African Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied piano and organ; at the age of eighteen he succeeded his brother as organist at St. Thomas. Later he studied voice with Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield , The Black...