Harlem Renaissance Music and Dance

Music in the HarlemMusic in the Harlem
RenaissanceRenaissance
By: Katherine AndradeBy: Katherine Andrade
Quamir AyalaQuamir Ayala
Hezekiah CrockettHezekiah Crockett
Cynthia MilfrancCynthia Milfranc

A New BeginningA New Beginning
The word Renaissance is a period of rebirth involving art and literature,The word Renaissance is a period of rebirth involving art and literature,
in the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries.in the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries.
Immense amounts of poverty, and illness brought devastation to upperImmense amounts of poverty, and illness brought devastation to upper
Manhattan. African-Americans had the idea to unite together andManhattan. African-Americans had the idea to unite together and
redefine their culture.redefine their culture.
The era of music enhancement and the opening of the African-The era of music enhancement and the opening of the African-
American culture was known as the Harlem Renaissance.American culture was known as the Harlem Renaissance.
A new beginning for all African-American poets, musicians, actors, andA new beginning for all African-American poets, musicians, actors, and
artists to bring a change into NYC. The opportunity to bring amazingartists to bring a change into NYC. The opportunity to bring amazing
sounds of Jazz and blues, in which began The Harlemsounds of Jazz and blues, in which began The Harlem
Renaissance.Renaissance.

Music Influence on the HarlemMusic Influence on the Harlem
RenaissanceRenaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was influenced by theThe Harlem Renaissance was influenced by the
African-Americans. African-American cultureAfrican-Americans. African-American culture
was soon to explode into a strong community.was soon to explode into a strong community.
The intellectual beings that brought talent andThe intellectual beings that brought talent and
wisdom to Harlem, later expanded themselveswisdom to Harlem, later expanded themselves
into becoming famous artists.into becoming famous artists.
African-Americans brought change into the whiteAfrican-Americans brought change into the white
societies, and for once, were independent andsocieties, and for once, were independent and
willing to be viewed differently by America.willing to be viewed differently by America.

African-American LegendsAfrican-American Legends
Duke Ellington(1899-1974)Duke Ellington(1899-1974)
One of the major performers in the Harlem RenaissanceOne of the major performers in the Harlem Renaissance
was Edward Kennedy also known as “Duke Ellington.”was Edward Kennedy also known as “Duke Ellington.”
Ellington was a music composer, pianist, band leader,Ellington was a music composer, pianist, band leader,
and the 20and the 20thth
centuries best known artist. He achievedcenturies best known artist. He achieved
thirteen Grammy awards from the years of 1959-2000.thirteen Grammy awards from the years of 1959-2000.
The many awards he earned were for Best JazzThe many awards he earned were for Best Jazz
Instrumental Performance and Best Jazz Performance.Instrumental Performance and Best Jazz Performance.
Some of his hit songs wereSome of his hit songs were Mood Indigo(1931Mood Indigo(1931),), It Don’tIt Don’t
Mean aMean a ThingThing(1932), and(1932), and Cocktails forCocktails for TwoTwo(1934).(1934).
Ellington’s contributions to the era of the HarlemEllington’s contributions to the era of the Harlem
Renaissance were enormous. He brought his ownRenaissance were enormous. He brought his own
distinctive, creative style of music into a opening for thedistinctive, creative style of music into a opening for the
whites and blacks to be united through music.whites and blacks to be united through music.

 Billie Holiday (Lady Day) is knownBillie Holiday (Lady Day) is known
for jazz and jazz genre singing. Atfor jazz and jazz genre singing. At
the age of 18 Billie was spotted bythe age of 18 Billie was spotted by
John Hammond and received her firstJohn Hammond and received her first
record as part of a studio group ledrecord as part of a studio group led
by Benny Goodman. Billie Holidayby Benny Goodman. Billie Holiday
achieved 12 Grammy awards in herachieved 12 Grammy awards in her
career. Most of her awards were forcareer. Most of her awards were for
Hall of Fame. Some of her hit songsHall of Fame. Some of her hit songs
werewere SolitudeSolitude,, God Bless the ChildGod Bless the Child,,
andand Strange FruitStrange Fruit ..
 A accomplishment from Billie HolidayA accomplishment from Billie Holiday
was to be one of the first blackwas to be one of the first black
women to work with a whitewomen to work with a white
orchestra.orchestra.
 A contribution of Billie Holiday was toA contribution of Billie Holiday was to
sing towards audiences aboutsing towards audiences about
racism, and it brought the messageracism, and it brought the message
of stopping dangerous acts towardsof stopping dangerous acts towards
blacks.blacks.
Billie Holiday(1915-1959) & Louis Armstrong(1901-1971)Billie Holiday(1915-1959) & Louis Armstrong(1901-1971)
 Louis Armstrong, was one of theLouis Armstrong, was one of the
most famous from the Harlemmost famous from the Harlem
Renaissance. Armstrong beganRenaissance. Armstrong began
to perform with bands in smallto perform with bands in small
clubs. He would play atclubs. He would play at
funerals, or even in parades infunerals, or even in parades in
New Orleans. In 1929, he madeNew Orleans. In 1929, he made
his first appearance on thehis first appearance on the
Broadway stage. In hisBroadway stage. In his
recording ofrecording of Ain’t Misbehavin,Ain’t Misbehavin,
he had originally used a pophe had originally used a pop
song, however, he interpreted itsong, however, he interpreted it
through jazz. Armstrong wonthrough jazz. Armstrong won
seven Grammy awards andseven Grammy awards and
some of his hits weresome of his hits were All of me,All of me,
Body, and SoulBody, and Soul andand MuskratMuskrat
Rumble.Rumble.
 A major contribution that LouisA major contribution that Louis
Armstrong brought to cultureArmstrong brought to culture
was his method of “scatwas his method of “scat
singing.”singing.”

Music becomes a part of African-AmericanMusic becomes a part of African-American
LivesLives
Music was very important to African-Americans duringMusic was very important to African-Americans during
the early 1900’s. Music was mostly noticed by whitethe early 1900’s. Music was mostly noticed by white
musicians. It was the moment for the black culture tomusicians. It was the moment for the black culture to
express themselves, and their music. African-Americansexpress themselves, and their music. African-Americans
had struggled through slavery and racism that this washad struggled through slavery and racism that this was
the opportunity to rise among the whites and show themthe opportunity to rise among the whites and show them
their true talents. Great examples of this within time weretheir true talents. Great examples of this within time were
Ellington, and Armstrong whom both had broken musicEllington, and Armstrong whom both had broken music
history charts for years. Music had opened doors forhistory charts for years. Music had opened doors for
many African-Americans to be free of racism, and bemany African-Americans to be free of racism, and be
able to share their thoughts of music.able to share their thoughts of music.

Music influences upon AmericanMusic influences upon American
SocietySociety
African-Americans were so shunned out in theirAfrican-Americans were so shunned out in their
music that the Harlem Renaissance reallymusic that the Harlem Renaissance really
brought a huge impact into their lives, and thebrought a huge impact into their lives, and the
American Society. Music was the only way theAmerican Society. Music was the only way the
African-Americans could show their soul andAfrican-Americans could show their soul and
passion of something they truly enjoyed. Whenpassion of something they truly enjoyed. When
black artists such as Ellington, Billie Holiday, andblack artists such as Ellington, Billie Holiday, and
Armstrong were noticed for their talents, moreArmstrong were noticed for their talents, more
opportunities arose for the whole Americanopportunities arose for the whole American
Society. If the Harlem Renaissance neverSociety. If the Harlem Renaissance never
existed, their would not be famous legends, likeexisted, their would not be famous legends, like
Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye.Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye.

Strange Fruit -Strange Fruit - Billie HolidayBillie Holiday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSO
- Strange fruit refers to the racism going on with African-- Strange fruit refers to the racism going on with African-
Americans. More specifically describing the lynching ofAmericans. More specifically describing the lynching of
African-Americans.African-Americans.
““Southern trees bear strange fruitSouthern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the rootBlood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breezeBlack bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”

Works CitiedWorks Citied
1.”Welcome to The Harlem Renaissance.”1.”Welcome to The Harlem Renaissance.” The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance..
Historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com. Phylicia and Sari, June 2011. Web. 25Historyoftheharlemrenaissance.weebly.com. Phylicia and Sari, June 2011. Web. 25 FebruaryFebruary
2013.2013.
2. Loveleena Rajeev. “Famous Musicians of the Harlem Renaissance.”2. Loveleena Rajeev. “Famous Musicians of the Harlem Renaissance.”
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-musicians-of-the-harlem-renaissance.html. 6http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-musicians-of-the-harlem-renaissance.html. 6 JulyJuly
2012. 25 February 2013.2012. 25 February 2013.
3.”Harlem Renaissance.”3.”Harlem Renaissance.” Harlem Renaissance.Harlem Renaissance.
http://www.biography.com/tv/classroom/harlem-renaissance. (n.d.) Web. 26 Februaryhttp://www.biography.com/tv/classroom/harlem-renaissance. (n.d.) Web. 26 February 2013.2013.
4.”Jazz Was the Sound of Harlem Renaissance!”4.”Jazz Was the Sound of Harlem Renaissance!” Harlem Renaissance Music in the 1920’s.Harlem Renaissance Music in the 1920’s. JesseJesse
Boland. Web. 23 February 2013.Boland. Web. 23 February 2013.
5. Kenneth B.Hillard.5. Kenneth B.Hillard. ““ The Impact of the Music of the Harlem Renaissance on Society.”The Impact of the Music of the Harlem Renaissance on Society.” Yale-NewYale-New
Haven Teachers Institute.Haven Teachers Institute. 2013. Web. 24 February 2013.2013. Web. 24 February 2013.
6. Evad. “Classic Colors: Harlem Renaissance.”6. Evad. “Classic Colors: Harlem Renaissance.”
www.colourlovers.com/blog/2009/ol/16/classic-colors-harlem-renaissance. 16 Januarywww.colourlovers.com/blog/2009/ol/16/classic-colors-harlem-renaissance. 16 January 2009.2009.
Web. 23 February 2013.Web. 23 February 2013.
Images :Images :
7. www.allposters.com/-sp/Louis-Armstrong-Posters_i5253105_.htm. (n.b.) Web. 26 February 2013.7. www.allposters.com/-sp/Louis-Armstrong-Posters_i5253105_.htm. (n.b.) Web. 26 February 2013.
8. Mark Anthony Neal. 29 April. 2010. www.newblackman.blogspot.com Web. 27 February 2013.8. Mark Anthony Neal. 29 April. 2010. www.newblackman.blogspot.com Web. 27 February 2013.
9. www.willtosurviverape.wordpress.com/tag/bilie-holiday/. (n.b.) Web. 27 February 2013.9. www.willtosurviverape.wordpress.com/tag/bilie-holiday/. (n.b.) Web. 27 February 2013.

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