Thomas_Bowers_(singer)

Thomas J. Bowers (c. 1823–October 3, 1885), also known as "The Colored Mario", 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", 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".