The Harlem The Harlem RenaissanceRenaissance

By: Olivia Hubert andBy: Olivia Hubert and

Madison EberhartMadison Eberhart

What is the Harlem What is the Harlem Renaissance???Renaissance???

A big event A big event leading to the leading to the Harlem Harlem Renaissance was Renaissance was the movement of the movement of African Americans African Americans to northern cities. to northern cities. Between 1919 Between 1919 and 1926, a lot of and 1926, a lot of Black Americans Black Americans left their southern left their southern state homes to state homes to move to big cities move to big cities such as New York such as New York City, Chicago, and City, Chicago, and Washington DC. Washington DC.

This black movement This black movement combined with new trends combined with new trends throughout the 1920’s. A throughout the 1920’s. A group of extreme black group of extreme black intellects all contributed to the intellects all contributed to the unique styles and surprising unique styles and surprising success of black artists. What success of black artists. What started a series of literary started a series of literary discussions in lower discussions in lower Manhattan and Harlem, was Manhattan and Harlem, was first known as a new negro first known as a new negro movement. Later named the movement. Later named the Harlem Renaissance. This Harlem Renaissance. This movement brought movement brought unpredicted creative activity unpredicted creative activity in writing, art, and music. It in writing, art, and music. It changed opinions of African changed opinions of African Americans and their heritage.Americans and their heritage.

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT PEOPLE OFPEOPLE OFTHE HARLEMTHE HARLEM

RENAISSANCRENAISSANCEE

Jacob LawrenceJacob Lawrence

He was born in 1917,Atlantic CityHe was born in 1917,Atlantic City For more then 65 years, Jacob For more then 65 years, Jacob

Lawrence was a wonderful Lawrence was a wonderful observer and story teller who observer and story teller who focused on the struggles for focused on the struggles for freedom and justice in America.freedom and justice in America.

Jacob Lawrence has created Jacob Lawrence has created many paintings featuring black many paintings featuring black historical figures and themes. As historical figures and themes. As a young man he studied art and a young man he studied art and read a lot on the subject of read a lot on the subject of African American history.African American history.

Langston HughesLangston Hughes Born February 1Born February 1stst, 1902, 1902 Died May 22Died May 22ndnd, 1967, 1967 He was one of the most important writers He was one of the most important writers

and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance. and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes creative genius was influenced by Hughes creative genius was influenced by

his life in New York City’s Harlem, a mostly his life in New York City’s Harlem, a mostly African American neighborhood. African American neighborhood.

His literary works helped create American His literary works helped create American literature and politics. literature and politics.

He, like no other person in the Harlem He, like no other person in the Harlem Renaissance, embraced his racial pride. Renaissance, embraced his racial pride.

He wrote poetry, essays, novels, and He wrote poetry, essays, novels, and children's books.children's books.

Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald The Harlem Renaissance's lady of song.  Born in 1918, she The Harlem Renaissance's lady of song.  Born in 1918, she

made her way to New York City at the age of 16, where she made her way to New York City at the age of 16, where she became part of the swing era. became part of the swing era. 

One of Ella Fitzgerald’s major accomplishments was creating One of Ella Fitzgerald’s major accomplishments was creating songbooks that had pieces of music written by American songbooks that had pieces of music written by American songwriters.   songwriters.  

Ella Fitzgerald worked with many big names from the jazz era.  Ella Fitzgerald worked with many big names from the jazz era.  She made appearances with Duke Ellington and Louis She made appearances with Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.Armstrong.

  She won a Grammy Award in 1980. She was extremely She won a Grammy Award in 1980. She was extremely important to the Harlem Renaissance. important to the Harlem Renaissance.

This particular style was extremely important to the Harlem This particular style was extremely important to the Harlem Renaissance because it was basically developed during this Renaissance because it was basically developed during this time. time.

Fitzgerald believed that swing turned a song into art.  Ella was Fitzgerald believed that swing turned a song into art.  Ella was able to improvise and create incredible music.  able to improvise and create incredible music. 

Ella Fitzgerald’s presence in the music world influenced many Ella Fitzgerald’s presence in the music world influenced many singers and performers that followed her.singers and performers that followed her.

She died in 1996, Los AngelesShe died in 1996, Los Angeles

Bessie SmithBessie Smith Bessie Smith was a rough, rude, violent woman. She was also Bessie Smith was a rough, rude, violent woman. She was also

one of the greatest classic Blues singers of the 1920s.one of the greatest classic Blues singers of the 1920s. In 1923 she made her recording debut on Columbia, with In 1923 she made her recording debut on Columbia, with

pianist Clarence Williams. The record sold more than 750,000 pianist Clarence Williams. The record sold more than 750,000 copies that yearcopies that year

During the 1920s Smith recorded with many great Jazz During the 1920s Smith recorded with many great Jazz musicians like Louis Armstrongmusicians like Louis Armstrong

Bessie Smith was one of the biggest African-American stars Bessie Smith was one of the biggest African-American stars of the 1920s and was popular with both Whites and Blacks.of the 1920s and was popular with both Whites and Blacks.

Even though she had no record company Smith was still very Even though she had no record company Smith was still very popular in the South and continued to draw large crowds, popular in the South and continued to draw large crowds, although the money was not nearly as good as it had been in although the money was not nearly as good as it had been in the 1920s. the 1920s.

Bessie had started to style herself as a Swing musician and Bessie had started to style herself as a Swing musician and was on the verge of a comeback when her life was cut short was on the verge of a comeback when her life was cut short by a car accident in 1937. by a car accident in 1937.

Louis Louis ArmstrongArmstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed

Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpet player and singer.Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpet player and singer. Louis may have started from poor beginnings, but as he grew in Louis may have started from poor beginnings, but as he grew in

popularity, his unique style set the bar for jazz musicians of his time and popularity, his unique style set the bar for jazz musicians of his time and the future.the future.

He became one of the first jazz musicians to successfully break away He became one of the first jazz musicians to successfully break away from the common 4/4 timing. from the common 4/4 timing.

His style pulled mostly from the blues, and his unique voice became a His style pulled mostly from the blues, and his unique voice became a trademark. trademark.

Louis was asked to scat for vocal solos, and in his instrumental solos, Louis was asked to scat for vocal solos, and in his instrumental solos, Louis brought high register playing into more common use. Louis brought high register playing into more common use.

He used his skills such as playing trumpet and scatting to create a path He used his skills such as playing trumpet and scatting to create a path for musicians to take and finish what he had only begun.for musicians to take and finish what he had only begun.

Some of his most famous songs include:Some of his most famous songs include:

“ “ Stardust”Stardust”

“ “ West End Blues”West End Blues”

  

Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington Duke Ellington had an amazing mind which created the Duke Ellington had an amazing mind which created the

whole image of instruments sounding like a person's whole image of instruments sounding like a person's voice. On top of that Ellington was one of the best voice. On top of that Ellington was one of the best composers and musicians of his time. He also played composers and musicians of his time. He also played piano.piano.

Ellington was one of the most lively artists and all he Ellington was one of the most lively artists and all he needed were his hands and his music. needed were his hands and his music.

Ellington's fame reached all the way to the depth's of Ellington's fame reached all the way to the depth's of TIME magazines cover in the time of the Harlem TIME magazines cover in the time of the Harlem Renaissance which was something that was pretty much Renaissance which was something that was pretty much unknown. unknown. 

Some of his most famous pieces include: Some of his most famous pieces include:

“ “ Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”

“ “ Sophisticated Lady”Sophisticated Lady”

“ “ In a Sentimental Mood” In a Sentimental Mood”

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