Nina Simone sang songs of love, protest, and black empowerment in a rough-edged voice. Nina was one of the most extraordinary artists of the twentieth century. She was an icon of American music and some people called her a griot. She used her remarkable talent to make a legacy of liberation through empowerment, passion, and love through bodywork. She was a musical trademark.
She did not have an easy time at work, she was frightened and hostile. While at work she experienced bullying and abuse from one of her employees who would injure her for not completing her chores correctly. After a brutal and bloody riot that she witnessed in her city of St. Louis, Josephine packed her belongings and left for good. She went many night without shelter and food, and in desperation for survival she looked to performing street dances. The street dances paid off and she was recruited to play on the chorus line in St. Louis
Throughout her career, “Mills earned a reputation for her wondrous, high-pitched voice, unique dance movements and comedic timing that allowed her to become an unparalleled force during the Harlem Renaissance. With Mills quite aware of the racial dynamics of the day and wishing to make a difference, she also served as an icon for African-American performers and audiences of all backgrounds.” (Bio.) Mills was well recognized for amazing talents, and became more popular as she starred in “Shuffle Along”, “Plantation Revenue”, and “Blackbirds”. Starring in mostly musicals, Mills was recognized more for her beautiful voice, and was a huge star in Britain by 1926.
In 1923, Josephine landed a role in the Musical Shuffle along as member of the chorus, and the Comic Touch she brought to the part made her popular with audiences. Soon after Josephine moved to New York and was soon performing in Chocolate Dandies along with Ethal Waters in the Floor Show of The Plantation Club, where she became a crowd favorite. In 1925 Josephine traveled to Paris to perform in La Revue Negre at Theatre Des
Josephine Baker- She was known for being a world renowned performer,world war 2 spy, and activist, Josephine Baker was a dancer,singer,actress and civil rights activist. Josephine Baker obstacles are segregation and discrimination. She changed the society. Josephine Baker flourished on the European stage and became a successful entertainer who reconceptualized the image of black performers through her unique dancing style and sophisticated costumes, her work helped black entertainers come to be recognized as artists.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of Henrietta, an African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line. Told through the eyes of her daughter, Deborah Lacks, aided by journalist Rebecca Skloot. Deborah wanted to learn about her mother, and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever. It is a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty and deep friendship between the unlikeliest people. There had been many books published about Henrietta’s cells, but nothing about Henrietta’s personality, experiences, feeling, life style etc.
Although some people might argue that Shirley Chisholm does not demonstrate leadership qualities, a closer examination proves that the former congresswoman was a strong leader because of her independence, perseverance,and willingness to take risks. Shirley Chisholm is a great leader because she blazed a trail by being the first African American Congresswoman. For example, “Chisholm indulged her maverick nature in a spectacular gesture. She became the first black woman to run for president” (Morin pg1).This proves that she was the first black individual in her field to run for president so this makes her a trailblazer because all leaders should possess this for the reason that no leader can lead from behind.
Simone began recording her music in the 50s under the Bethlehem label, releasing her first full album in 1957, which featured "Plain Gold Ring" and the title track "Little Girl Blue." It also included her one and only Top 20 pop hit with her version of "I Loves You Porgy" from the George and Ira Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess. Under different labels, Simone released a bevy of albums from the late '50s throughout the '60s and early '70s, including records like The Amazing Nina Simone (1959), Nina Simone Sings Ellington! (1962), Wild Is the Wind (1966) and Silk and Soul (1967). She also made cover songs of popular music, eventually putting her own spin on such songs as Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun.
It was around this time that Josephine first took up dancing, honing her skills, both in clubs and in street performances, by 1919 she was touring the United States with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers performing comedic skits. By 1921 she married her second husband, Willie Baker whose name she obtained even after they divorced years later. In 1925, France’s had an obsession with American jazz and all things
She had become the first African American performer to sign a contract with a major studio, but she wanted to accomplish more than that. She wanted to be a voice for African Americans who were also trying to receive equality. “When I went to the south and met the kind of people who were fighting in such an unglamorous fashion, I mean, fighting to just get someplace to sit and get a sandwich. I felt close to that kind of thing because I had denied it and had been left away from it so long. And I began to feel such pain again.
Billie Holiday is one of the most influential jazz singers of her time. Her attitude, determination and most of all her music inspired artists throughout time and inspired major social change. Throughout her lifetime she explored the world of jazz, her identity, and how far the limits of her talent would take her. She exchanged her poor life, full of drugs and scandal for a life of performing the arts and showcasing her talents and abilities. Her incredible determination led her to do what she loved regardless of what anyone thought , which led to her inciting major social exchange; moving black suffering into white consciousness.
And I said to myself, My God, I am Josephine, and if they do this to me, what do they do to the other people in America?” In France, she didn’t really face racial discrimination, and realized how big of a problem it was in America. She also mentions how she is Josephine Baker, an entertainer who earned fame and fortune in Paris. However, she still faced a lot of discrimination, leading her to wonder how much worse the treatment was in America for other people of color.
Often referred to as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most popular female jazz singers in the United States. Throughout her career, Ella was awarded thirteen Grammys and sold over 40 million albums. With a voice that not only encompassed a large range, but a dynamic and powerful sound, Ella could sing almost anything from scatting to the popular tunes of her day. She performed in the top venues all around the world to packed houses, with audiences as diverse as the music she created. Ella came from a small town and impoverished family, but through her talent and determination, skyrocketed to fame creating a legacy that has withstood the sands of time.
“It [the Harlem Renaissance] was a time of black individualism, a time marked by a vast array of characters whose uniqueness challenged the traditional inability of white Americans to differentiate between blacks.” (Clement Alexander Price). Price’s mentality describes the tradition of American society persecuting African Americans. This reference to tradition forces the audience to consider how this persecution began. African Americans were abducted and forced into slavery.
Billie Holiday lived a tumultuous life as she went through many ups and downs during her childhood and into her adulthood. Billie Holiday was only eighteen years old when she was discovered singing in nightclubs and soon found great success as a jazz singer. In spite of her lack of musical training, Holiday’s distinct singing caught the attention of her audience and she became one of the greatest jazz singers of the twentieth century. However, despite the remarkable success Billie achieved, she continuously battled with substance abuse until the end of her life. Holiday may have had a tragic life, but her emotional, melancholic voice made her an imperative presence in the period of jazz.
