Black Music during the Harlem Renaissance

Essay by Candydiva04University, Bachelor's November 2004

download word file, 7 pages 4.4

Introduction the Harlem Renaissance and its effect white's perception of blacks.

Biographies

a. History and Musical Talent of Dizzy Gilespie

b. History and Musical Talent of Charlie Parker

c. History and Musical Talent of Billie Holiday

Conclusions: The Effect of The Music and Musicians of Harlem Renaissance On Modern Music.

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of cultural explosion. It began in the wake of world war one, peaking in Nineteen twenty-eight a year before the beginning of the Depression. During the Harlem Renaissance, the rise of a group of radical black intellectuals all contributed to the particular styles and unprecedented success of black artists, in literature, art and music. It also brought out powerful musical talent of singers and musicians who played an important role in this era. At the time, the community of Harlem was composed of mainly African-American and during this time period they were still considered inferior to the whites.

The 1920's was a time period during which the black culture of New York, primarily Harlem, was involved in a movement through which, using literature, intellect and music, they attempted to raise pride amongst themselves and attain equal status with those that oppressed them. Some of the best-known figures and key figures of this period were such famous writers as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Zora Neale Hurston. It also includes the likes of the following famous musicians; Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker, Edward "Duke" Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Billie Holiday. The Harlem Renaissance started as a literary and intellectual movement with a mission of both race propaganda and pure art. Their task was to identify and articulate a community consciousness rather than overthrow existing institutions. They represented the outsiders who wanted to be a part of the main stream. In the two square...