A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Attey, John

ATTEY, John, a composer of part-songs, who flourished in the first quarter of the 17th century. He appears to have been patronised by the Earl and Countess of Bridgewater, to whom he dedicates his 'First Booke of Ayres of Foure Parts, with Tableture for the Lute,' in 1622. On the title-page of this work he calls himself 'Gentleman and Practitioner of Musicke.' It contains fourteen songs in four parts, which may be sung as part-songs or as solos by a soprano voice, accompanied by the lute, or the lute and bass-viol. As no second collection appeared, it is probable that the composer did not meet with sufficient encouragement in all cases. The madrigalian period was rapidly declining. He died at Ross about 1640.

[ E. F. R. ]