THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

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The Harlem Renaissance


Aaron Douglas, Idylls of the Deep South, 1934

Between 1920-1930 an unprecedented outburst of creative activity among African-Americans occurred in all fields of art. This African-American cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance. Harlem attracted a prosperous and stylish black middle class from which sprang an extraordinary artistic center. Like avant-garde movements in Europe, it embraced all art-forms, including music, dance, film, theatre and cabaret. Harlem nightlife, with its dance halls and jazz bands, featured prominently in the work of these artists. More than a literary movement and more than a social revolt against racism, the Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage and to become "The New Negro," a term coined in 1925 by sociologist and critic Alain LeRoy Locke. One of the factors contributing to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the great migration of African-Americans to northern cities (such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.) between 1919 and 1926. In his influential book The New Negro (1925), Locke described the northward migration of blacks as "something like a spiritual emancipation."

"...Our problem is to conceive, develop, establish an art era. Not white art painting black...let's bare our arms and plunge them deep through laughter, through pain, through sorrow, through hope, through disappointment, into the very depths of the souls of our people and drag forth material crude, rough, neglected. Then let's sing it, dance it, write it, paint it. Let's do the impossible. Let's create something transcendentally material, mystically objective. Earthy. Spiritually earthy. Dynamic." - Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas (1898-1979) was the Harlem Renaissance artist whose work best exemplified the 'New Negro' philosophy. He painted murals for public buildings and produced illustrations and cover designs for many black publications including The Crisis and Opportunity. In 1940 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he founded the Art Department at Fisk University and tought for twenty nine years.


Aaron Douglas, study for God's Trombones

Aaron Douglas completed the sketches above in preparation for a mural he painted under WPA sponsorship for the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem (now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture). The four-panel series Aspects of Negro Life tracks the journey of African Americans from freedom in Africa to enslavement in the United States and from liberation after the Civil War to life in the modern city. In this study for the first panel, a man and woman in Africa dance to the beat of drums as concentric circles of light emphasize the heat and rhythm of their movements. A sculpture floating in a central circle above the dancers' heads suggests the importance of spirits in African culture.
Song of the Towers represents the African-Americans' climb from slavery to self-emancipation in the cities of America.


Lois Mailon Jones, Buddha, 1927
Lois Jones attended the School of the Museum of Fine Art, Boston, at a time when racial prejudice and discrimination were omnipresent features of American life. Jones engineered her professional art career in spite of barriers. Sometimes she entered works in exhibitions that did not recognize African-American artists by having white friends deliver the paintings. In other cases, prizes initially awareded to her on merit were subsequently taken away and given to white competitors. Despite these trials, Jones prevailed on the basis of her talent, energy, and persistence. She refused to be discouraged.

from "The life and art of Lois Mailou Jones" Tritobia Hayes Benjamin. 1994

William H. Johnson arrived in Harlem when the Renaissance was in the making. He had come to New York in 1918 from Florence, South Carolina, and became a student at the national Academy of Design. He remained there for five years, absorbing the teachings of George Luks and Charles Hawthorne, and readying himself for a career in art that would take him to places in North Africa and Europe in search of a permanent residence. It was through the influence of Hawthorne that Johnson traveled first to Paris in 1926, where he settled, painted, and studied the works of modern European masters.

from "Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America"

William Johnson, Chain Gang


Jacob Lawrence, Dreams
I've always been interested in history, but they never taught Negro history in the public schools... I don't see how a history of the United States can be written honestly without including the Negro.
ÑJacob Lawrence, 1940

Lawrence was the first American artist of African descent to receive sustained mainstream recognition in the United States. His success came earlyÑat the age of twenty-fourÑbut lasted almost uninterrupted until his death in June 2000. His renown is mostly in his "Migrantion" series, in which he documents the migration of blacks from Africa to America, focusing mostly on their history in the South. In the last ten years of his life, he received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Arts and more than eighteen honorary post-doctorate degrees.


Female Laborer

Tombstones

Builders

Romare Bearden

Jazz

Jammin' at the Savoy

She-Ba

Soul History

Romare Bearden can best be described as a "descendent" of the Harlem Renaissance, for the majority of his works were created a couple of decades after the movement had ended. His paintings, collages and prints celebrate black history, black music (jazz primarily an invention of black musicians), and black lifestyles. Bright colors, unusual spatial compositions, and a jubilant attitude frequently occupy his works

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SOUL MUSIC PART ONE

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

TODAY IN HISTORY OCTOBER 28

A big birthday shout-out to our brother Tom Paddison! Hope you're
enjoying your day so far!

Sharing birthdays with Tom are the following:

Singer/actress Natina Reed (Blaque) - 29

Former "American Idol" runner-up/"Idol Tonight" co-host Justin Guarini
(born Justin Eldrin Bell) - 30

Singer/actress Telma Hopkins (formerly of Tony Orlando & Dawn) - 60

Singer Cleo Laine (born Clementina Dinah Campbell) - 81

Now onward to the music history:

2006 – Rod Stewart went to #1 on the US Billboard album charts with
"Still the Same...Great Rock Classics of our Time." It also went to #4
in the UK. After spending 4 years making albums of pop standards and
show tunes, the singer returned to his roots by recording an album of
classic rock remakes. Such tunes included Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around
& Fell In Love," John Waite's "Missing You," Creedence Clearwater
Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" and Bonnie Tyler's "It's a
Heartache."

VIDEO LINK: Rod Stewart – "Fooled Around & Fell In Love"
(music video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=F0Mnj1cSESg
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=F0Mnj1cSESg>

Also in 2006 – Rapper Ludacris (featuring Pharrell Williams) went to
#1 both on the US Billboard R&B/hip-hop and pop singles charts with
"Money Maker." On the R&B/hip-hop charts, the song stayed on the spot
for just one week, while on the pop charts it stayed for 2 weeks.

2005 – Singer Marcel Evans, Gulf Coast artist and one-time member of
the Drifters, died at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, LA.
Before his death, he and his family temporarily moved to Pensacola, FL
before their home in Biloxi, MS was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Evans was 53.

Also in 2005 – Rap artist The Game was arrested at a North Carolina
mall where he was signing autographs. He was charged with disorderly
conduct and resisting arrest. The Game was wearing a Halloween mask
during the incident.

5 events that happened in 2003:

1. Sean "Diddy" Combs announced that he would investigate allegations of
workers being mistreated at the Honduras sweatshop, which supported his
line of "Sean John" clothing.

2. Meanwhile, Diddy's ex-girlfriend Jennifer "J-Lo" Lopez was picked by
Mayor Mike Bloomberg as honorary chairperson of a council to draw more
aspiring Latin entertainers in New York.

3. Sting published his 1st volume of his autobiography called "Broken
Music," which covered everything from childhood to his days as lead
singer/bass player of the Police.

4. Paul McCartney and his former wife, Heather Mills, welcomed a
daughter: Beatrice Millie.

5. Singer Beyoncé Knowles released "Summertime" (featuring Sean
"Diddy" Combs). It was from the film "Fighting Temptations" (which
Beyoncé co-starred). It later peaked at #35 on the US Billboard R&B
singles charts.

VIDEO LINK: Beyoncé Knowles - "Summertime" (live performance)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tU48dtQOCIM
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tU48dtQOCIM>

2002 – Meanwhile, Beyoncé's former Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly
Rowland released her debut solo album "Simply Deep," which featured
"Stole," "Can't Nobody," and "Dilemma" (featuring Nelly). It later
peaked at #3 on the US Billboard R&B album charts and #12 on the pop
album charts.

VIDEO LINKS: Kelly Rowland – "Stole" (from "Tonight Show
with Jay Leno")

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=r9i9NMf7cTA
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=r9i9NMf7cTA>

Kelly Rowland (featuring Nelly) – "Dilemma" (from Patti
LaBelle tribute special)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=OE1pOFHYsjQ
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=OE1pOFHYsjQ>

Kelly Rowland – "Can't Nobody" (from "Top of the
Pops")

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=6wAhH_D6IwU
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=6wAhH_D6IwU>

2001 - The Beastie Boys played their 1st of their 2 shows at the
Hammerstein Ballroom in New York as part of their benefit concert called
"New Yorkers Against Violence" which they organized.

1999 - NFL star Terrell Davis made a special appearance rapping with
hip-hop artist Legit at the Wazoos nightclub. Davis was on the injured
list at the time.

1997 – H-Town released their 3rd album "Ladies Edition: Woman's
World," which featured "They Like It Slow," "Don't Sleep on the Female,"
and "Julie Rain" (which talked about spousal abuse). It later reached
#53 on the US Billboard album charts. The group had severed ties with
controversial rapper/manager/ reality show star Luther Campbell and
became born-again Christians while working on the album. They dedicated
the album to murdered victim and O.J. Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown. In
addition, they posted 20 national phone helplines on the back cover of
their album for women who were abused and scorned in their
relationships.

VIDEO LINK: H-Town – "They Like It Slow" (music video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=riJA8m- aEaA
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=riJA8m- aEaA>

Also in 1997 – Rapper Mase released his debut solo album "Harlem
World," which featured "Feel So Good" and "What You Want" (featuring
Total). It later debuted at #1 on both the R&B/hip-hop and pop album
charts.

VIDEO LINK: Mase – "Feel So Good" (music video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ggkZH-TNZd0
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ggkZH-TNZd0>

1994 – The Rolling Stones performed at the Oakland-Alameda County
Stadium in California. Seal was their opening act.

1993 – Patti Austin and George Benson kicked off their 5-date UK
tour at London's Hammerstein Odeon.

Also in 1993 – Rapper/actor Tupac Shakur released his single "Keep
Ya Head Up." It later peaked at #2 on the US Billboard rap singles
charts, #7 on the R&B/hip-hop charts, and #12 on the pop charts.

VIDEO LINK: Tupac Shakur – "Keep Ya Head Up" (music video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=3_bkCnMrLM0
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=3_bkCnMrLM0>

1990 – Janet Jackson performed a sold out show at London's Wembley
Stadium during her "Rhythm Nation" tour.

3 events that happened in 1989:

1. Speaking of Janet: the singer hit #1 on the Billboard album charts
with her self-titled album "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814" and
stayed for 4 weeks. It featured her mega-hits "Black Cat," "Come Back to
Me," "Love Will Never Do (Without

You)," "Escapade," "Alright," "Miss You Much," and the title track.

VIDEO LINKS: Janet Jackson – "Alright" and "Miss You
Much" (live from Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 9/17/08)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=o1g7hIYJFKE
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=o1g7hIYJFKE>

Janet Jackson – "Rhythm Nation/The Knowledge" (live
performance 2002)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=G3I_4YRuKlY
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=G3I_4YRuKlY>

Janet Jackson – "Come Back to Me" (live from Aloha Stadium,
Honolulu, Hawaii)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=qCFZTAHkT54
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=qCFZTAHkT54>

Janet Jackson – "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" (live
from Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=QTwy42ahGJA
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=QTwy42ahGJA>

Janet Jackson – "Escapade" (live performance 1990)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Si3Vu3HFe- g
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Si3Vu3HFe- g>

Janet Jackson – "Black Cat" (live from Staples Center, Los
Angeles, CA 9/17/08)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Vqw13gvEwoQ
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Vqw13gvEwoQ>

2. The Gap Band entered the US Billboard R&B singles charts with "All of
My Love." It later became their last #1 R&B hit single of the `80's.

VIDEO LINK: Gap Band – "All of My Love" (music video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tp16YPRsfF4
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tp16YPRsfF4>

3. Singer Regina Belle went to #1 on the US Billboard R&B singles charts
with "Baby, Come to Me." It also peaked at #60 on the pop charts.

VIDEO LINK: Regina Belle – "Baby, Come to Me" (from
"Soul Train")

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=hjlS_28wCxg
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=hjlS_28wCxg>

1987 - Singer Sheena Easton made a guest appearance on "Miami Vice" as
Sonny Crockett's fiancée, Caitlin Davies. She appeared in only 5
episodes. SPOILER ALERT: Easton's character was killed during a concert
on the 5th episode.

VIDEO LINK: Sheena Easton – "Follow My Rainbow" (music
video)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fFt4_h0lW_ 8
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fFt4_h0lW_ 8>

1983 – Patti LaBelle released her single "If Only You Knew." It
later went to #1 on the US Billboard R&B singles charts, where it stayed
for 4 weeks.

VIDEO LINK: Patti LaBelle – "If Only You Knew" (from
"The Oprah Winfrey Show")

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=gdn3-nF3fVU
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=gdn3-nF3fVU>

1978 - Chic entered both the US Billboard R&B and pop singles charts
with "Le Freak." It later went to #1 (R&B for 6 weeks and pop for 5
weeks).

VIDEO LINK: Chic – "Le Freak" (live German TV performance)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=XXDHzs4- -6s
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=XXDHzs4- -6s>

1972 – Singer Billy Paul entered both the Billboard R&B and pop
singles charts with "Me & Mrs. Jones." It later went to #1 on both
charts.

VIDEO LINK: Billy Paul – "Me & Mrs. Jones" (from PBS
special)

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=m-8sfSrssDA
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=m-8sfSrssDA>

1967 - Diana Ross & the Supremes went to #1 on the US Billboard album
charts with their greatest hits album and stayed for 5 weeks.

1964 – And speaking of the Supremes: the female trio performed the
1st of 2 nights at "The Tami Show" at the Civic Auditorium in Santa
Monica, CA. Other performers included Smokey Robinson & the Miracles,
Lesley Gore, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Beach Boys, and the Rolling
Stones. But the biggest attraction was James Brown & the Famous Flames.
Surf-rock duo Jan & Dean hosted the event.

VIDEO LINKS: James Brown & the Famous Flames – "Please, Please,
Please"

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=H5aVhLjT7UE
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=H5aVhLjT7UE>

James Brown – "Night Train"

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=l89xJPi2U_ Q
<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=l89xJPi2U_ Q>

1956 - Elvis Presley made his 2nd appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
He performed 4 songs: "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender,"
and "Love Me." He was shown from the waist up - no reveal of his pelvis.

1950 – Lowell Fulson went to #1 on the US Billboard R&B singles
charts with "Blue Shadows" and stayed for 4 weeks.

1948 – Chuck Berry married his girlfriend, Themetta "Toddy" Suggs.
60 years and 4 children later, they're still married to this day.
(J.D.'S COMMENT: God bless them on their successful marriage.)

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL MOMENTS

1977 – Styx; Debby Boone; Lynne Marta; Little River Band

Tribute: Electric Light Orchestra

Guest host: David Soul

SOUL TRAIN HISTORY BOOK

2000 - Ricky Bell; Toni Estes; Tank

1995 - Michael Bolton; Anointed; AZ (featuring Miss Jones) – Guest
host: actress Mari Marrow

1989 - Kool & the Gang; David Peaston

1978 - Freda Payne; Atlantic Starr

1972 - Johnnie Taylor; Undisputed Truth

J.D.
Posted by MAGNA at 12:23 PM

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50 YEARS OF SOUL

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SOUL MUSIC PART TWO

SOUL MUSIC PART THREE

SOUL MUSIC PART FOUR

SOUL MUSIC PART FIVE

SOUL MUSIC PART SIX

VICKI SUE ROBINSON TURN THE BEAT AROUND

PATTI AUSTIN AND JAMES INGRAM

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MAGNA
Concert Productions International (familiarly, CPI). Major promoter of rock concerts and tours in North America. It was established in Toronto in 1973 as a subsidiary of WBC Productions Ltd by Michael Cohl, William (Bill) Ballard, and Mediagenics Entertainment. CPI-Mediagenics extended its sphere of influence across Canada. CPI=Mediagenics organized many national tours by major rock and pop acts and produced more than 250 concerts and events each year in addition to sporting and theatrical events. With its focus on concert tours, CPI promoted successful tours for the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Pink Floyd. In 1989 it began to acquire international touring rights for groups such as the Rolling Stones, whose 115-concert Steel Wheels tour 1989-90 in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Japan generated gross revenues reaching an unprecedented $300 million. It also presented artists in several smaller Toronto venues and promoted concerts in other Ontario cities. In 1990 Canadian concerts accounted for about half of some 1000 CPI presentations worldwide.
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