The Harlem RenaissanceBy Andrea Wageman

Aaron Douglas (Background)

• Born on May 26, 1899 in Topeka, Kansas

• Graduated from the University of Nebraska

• Graduated also from Columbia University Teachers College

• Died on February 2, 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee

Aaron Douglas (cont.)

• Work was inspired by African art

• Encouraged by Winold Reiss

• “Dean of African-American painters”

• Retired in 1966

Aaron Douglas (Works)

• Series of murals for 135th St. Branch of NY Public Library

• Illustrations for James Weldon Johnson’s book God’s Trombones

• Paintings: Idylls of the Deep South, Song of The Towers, Into Bondage, The Crucifixion, Go Down Death, Let My People Go, Noah’s Ark, and more

Aaron Douglas (His Works)

• Depict emerging black American individuality

• Proudly showed black contributions

• Saw blacks as nothing less than a proud majestic person

• Impacted the future of black expression in art

Aaron Douglas (Pictures)

The Crucifixion Noah’s Ark

Mural From NY Public Library

Born October 13, 1902 in Alexandria, Louisiana

Tension with his father, sent to a white boarding school

Graduated in 1923 from Pacific Union College

Died June 4, 1973 writing his autobiography

Arna Bontemps (Background)

Arna Bontemps (cont.)Married Alberta Johnson on August 26,

1926

Had six kids

Enchanted with Harlem and moved to NY

Head librarian at Fisk University until retirement in 1965

Poems included: The Day-Breakers, Southern Mansion, God Give to Men, Length of Moon, A Black Man Talks of Reaping, Reconnaissance

Novels included: Black Thunder, God Sends Sunday, Drums at Dusk, Popo and Fifina: Children of Haiti, Chariot in the Sky, The Old South

Arna Bontemps (Works)

Arna Bontemps (His Works)Frustrated about reaching his

generation, turned to younger people

Collaborated with W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and others

Made kids books that focused on African Am. experience

Length of MoonThen the golden hour Will tick its last And the flame will go down in the flower.A briefer length of moon Will mark the sea-line and the yellow dune.Then we may think of this, yet There will be something forgottenAnd something we should forget.It will be like all things we know: .A stone will fail; a rose is sure to go.It will be quiet then and we may stay Long at the picket gateBut there will be less to say.

The Day-Breakers We are not come to wage a strifeWith swords upon this hill,It is not wise to waste the lifeAgainst a stubborn will.Yet would we die as some have done.Beating a way for the rising sun.

Arna Bontemps (Poems)

Arna Bontemps (Pictures)

LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG (BACKGROUND) Full name: Lillian Beatrice Hardin

Born on February 3, 1898 in Memphis, Tennessee

Married and divorced twice

Died on August 27, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois

Lil Hardin Armstrong (cont.)•Attended three colleges•Fisk University•Chicago College of Music•New York College of Music

• Mother didn’t approve of blues music

• First job as pianist: Jones Music Store, $3/week

LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG (WORKS) “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue” “Just For a Thrill” “Hotter Than That” “Two Deuces” “Born to Swing” “Brown Gal”

Lil Hardin Armstrong (Her Works)•Greatly responsible for Louis’ career

•Styles: swing, jazz, and blues

•Played piano and sang

•Lost her passion after divorce with Louis Armstrong

LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG (MUSIC) “Just For a Thrill”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvu0bYVLkX8&feature=player_detailpage

“Oriental Swing”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM

DBluSMUas

Lil Hardin Armstrong (Pictures)