Final answer:James Bland was an African American composer known for minstrel songs, not specifically 'coon songs.' His contributions to music are part of the complex history of African American music, which also includes notable figures like Scott Joplin, an innovator of ragtime music.Explanation:James Bland was indeed an African American composer, but he is best known for his contributions to music through minstrel songs, not specifically "coon songs."Bland was one of the most celebrated African American composers during his time, earning the nickname "The World's Greatest Minstrel Man."While some of his songs could be categorized under the problematic banner of "coon songs," which were a subgenre of minstrelsy with racist content, his legacy also includes a vast array of works that are critical to understanding the development of African American music.His songs reflected the complicated racial dynamics and norms of the time.Notably, African American music has roots in the religious and cultural expressions of slaves, who adapted European hymns and psalms to create a distinct musical sound that eventually influenced the creation of the blues....

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