Joel Sweeney

Joel Walker Sweeney (1810 – October 29, 1860), also known as Joe Sweeney, was an American musician and early blackface minstrel performer.

He is known for popularizing the playing of the banjo and has often been credited with advancing the physical development of the modern five-string banjo. He is the earliest known person to have played the banjo on stage.

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.