About John Black
Lived 1520 – 1587 (aged 66–67). John Black was a Scottish singer and composer.
John Black (–1587) was a Scottish singer and composer active in the Middle Renaissance period. Black was based in Aberdeen, working as a singer and assistant organist, and eventually became Master of the Song School in the city. Black at first refused to give up Catholicism during the Reformation, but by 1575 had abandoned holy orders and taken a wife.
Black wrote consorts and "lessons" on psalms as part of his work as a teacher, some of which are published in the Scottish manuscript The Art of Music, compiled in the late 1570s. A Pavan and Galliard dedicated to William Keith have also survived in Scottish manuscripts.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Black's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Black?
Scottish singer and composer of the Renaissance
When was John Black born?
John Black was born in 1520 in Aberdeen.
When did John Black die?
John Black died in 1587.
What was John Black's occupation?
John Black was a singer and composer.
What nationality was John Black?
John Black was Scottish.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Black (composer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Black. https://biography.guide/john-black-singer/
MLA: "John Black." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-black-singer/.
Chicago: "John Black." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-black-singer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:00 UTC