ENTERTAINMENT
Volume 1, Issue 1
May 2012
Coming to a Close: The Harlem Renaissance Jessica Zaugg The Harlem Renaissance seems to be slowly coming to a close, but has forever changed Black America. For those who experienced it or contributed to it for the last several decades, it has been a marvelous thing to behold. This time of racial equality as well as literary, musical, artistic and intellectual innovation has created an unforgettable era for proud Americans. Harlem, New York has been referred to as “the Black Mecca” or “the Black capital of America”. Harlem has been chosen as the emblem of this time period, since the end of the Great migration in the end of the 19th century. Since the Harlem Renaissance was a time of artistic expression and innovation, new sounds and beats have been heard, including jazz and swing. It has been a tremendous time of the collaboration of rural southern blues, and hyped up city tunes. continued on page 2
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Harlem Renaissance Harlem Literature (continued page 3) Spotlight – Duke Ellington Battle of the Bands Review
Harlem has been a place of refuge and prosperity. Even Claude McKay expressed “Harlem was my first positive reaction to American life -- it was like entering a paradise of my own people; the rhythm of Harlem still remains one of the most pleasurable sensations of my blood." This rhythm represents the first Black middle class in America. It represents the claimed streets of Upper Manhattan where people were able to truly able to taste freedom for the first time. It represents an experiment of different races and diverse groups of humanity struggling and scrambling to live together with common purpose and interest. Harlem changed Negro life forever, and will always be a positive example of American history for generations to come.
Harlem Literature Katie Gartner The Harlem Renaissance, by definition, is a rebirth of culture, especially the culture of African Americans living in Harlem. Right now, one can walk out onto the street or venture into a bar down the block and come face-to-face with several of the most prominent writers of our time: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Helene Johnson, Claude McKay, and Jean Toomer. Each of these remarkable authors were instrumental in transforming the African American psyche from that of the “Old Negro” or slavery-era black person to that of a new era, self-confident and proud. These people were some of the building blocks of the 1960s black pride movements.
Harlem Renaissance music
Along with the sounds of jazz and swing wafting from each club and corner, one can hear
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Spotlight Duke Ellington Galen McCarver Duke Ellington has really been booming lately; his new song, “Take the ’A’ Train” is wildly popular, and could be one of his most famous songs yet. Although he’s always been popular, you can tell the crowds really love this one, and some people are even calling it his theme song. For this spotlight on Ellington, let’s do a recap on his musical career thus far, and see how he got to be in the spotlight position he’s in now. The Duke started his professional career in 1923 in New York City. After initial problems, he was hired at the Cotton Club. This hip club helped him get known in the city, and he and his band mates developed a whole new sound in jazz. Helping him along was his ability to attract some of the best and brightest other musicians to make his new sound, relying on the voices of the instruments for his music.
Duke Ellington on piano
The bang the Duke made at the Cotton Club did not go unnoticed; Irving Mills found Duke in
1926 and became his manager until just a few years ago. He recognized his talent and got Ellington every musical opportunity he could get him. Eventually Ellington got too big for the Cotton Club and left to tour with his orchestra. They achieved huge recognition and Duke even took a trip to England, where he became known internationally. Ellington is still a rising star, and one we can all bet on to continue seeing in the sky for a long time still. An outstanding composer and amazing musician, he occupies a vital part of our American heritage.
Battle of the Bands Stompin’ At the Savoy Jessica Williams New York, N.Y – Up for another exciting competition, reigning king, Chick Webb, triumphed over famous competitors Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, and Count Basie and His Orchestra this last Sunday night. The event brought in record attendance, nearly five thousand eager “trackers” and not a soul more could have been admitted to the Savoy Ballroom. The energy of the atmosphere sparkled almost as much as the World’s Finest Ballroom did itself. Tensions were high and the race kept Lindyhoppers bouncing till the end. The air was tight as the applause between the groups was almost indistinguishable. Each band brought something unique to the show. Ella Fitzgerald hit home with a rendition of “Loch Lomand,” while Count Basie won the hearts, or should I say, feet, of all the dancers. Billie Holliday excited fans with his hit, “My Man,” and Webb consistently stole the show with his drum solos. In a fantastic last round of songs, Webb clearly pulled ahead the already great demonstrations. The crowd exploded with enthusiasm, concluding yet another entertaining and classic night of the Battle of the Bands.
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Harlem Literature
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recitations of poetry or performers declaiming excerpts from novels. Right beside a man with conked hair, smoking a reefer, there could be a man sitting on a bench reading Langston Hughes’ The Negro Speaks of Rivers or The Weary Blues. Literature in general, and especially the works of Hughes, is influential in shaping the emergence of an African American culture during our time. This new culture is also being spread into the mainstream culture of a changing nation. As always, the world finds it entertaining to amuse themselves with the struggling artists of a culture apart—though this time, they do so correctly. The Harlem Renaissance and its literature are, and will continue to be, key components in the creation of an African American culture.
Harlem Renaissance: Music
Poet and author Langston Hughes
Allison Adams On the streets of Harlem, Jazz and Swing filled the passerby’s ears. You could run into artists including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, William "Count" Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday. These artists through the Harlem exemplified the African American culture and brought this culture into mainstream society. Jazz introduced new forms of music not previously used in the music industry. For example, Scat can be described as the singer substituting nonsense syllables for the words of the song and attempting to sound like a musical instrument. This form of singing came to symbolize jazz and many, if not all, of the artists mentioned above used scat to express themselves in their music. Swing introduced new types of dance. As it was appropriately called, Swing dancing, left behind traditional dancing. Swing dances included the Lindy Hop, Fox Trot, Balboa, The Texas Tommy, Jitterbug, and the Boogie Woogie. These dances originated from the Jazz music of the era. Swing could be found in social dances and many of the clubs in the Harlem.
The Harlem Renaissance left behind traditional views, and forms of music and dance. It introduced African American culture to the mainstream society and gave African American music artists popularity among the white society who previously would not have accepted that kind of music. The Harlem Renaissance represented the increase in African American influence in the mainstream American culture.
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Big band of Harlem age