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What do R&B music, poetry slams, and The Cosby Show have in common? They are all by-products of the Harlem Renaissance—a period during the 1920s and 1930s that centered in Harlem, a historically African American neighborhood in New York City.
During the Harlem Renaissance, African American artists made monumental contributions to art, music, literature, and politics. Below, learn about poet Langston Hughes, jazz composer Duke Ellington, and painter Lois Mailou Jones. Each of these world-renowned artists wrote or painted about the culture and experiences of African Americans. And each of them have paved the way for contemporary artists like author Walter Dean Myers, tap dancer Savion Glover, and illustrator Kadir Nelson.
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes (1902–1967) moved to Harlem in 1926 and was soon declared the "Poet Laureate of Harlem." Though he wrote plays, novels, and nonfiction, Hughes is most well-known for his poetry. Some of his poems are bold and powerful, some are patriotic and heart-felt, and others encourage people to dream big and "hold fast to dreams."
Langston achieved his dreams and became the first African American to earn a living solely as a writer. By doing so, he paved the way for future African Americans, like Walter Dean Myers, to fulfill their dreams of having a successful writing career.
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Read some of Hughes's poems.
Walter Dean Myers
Walter Dean Myers (1937– ) grew up in Harlem, down the block from Langston Hughes's house. He developed a life-long love for writing in fifth grade when his teacher required every student to read in front of the class. At that time, Myers hated reading aloud because he stuttered when he spoke. But he discovered that if he wrote a poem made up of words he could easily pronounce, he had no problem reading aloud.
Since then, Myers has written over 50 books for children and teens. Many of his books have settings on the streets of Harlem. He has even written a picutre book entitled Harlem, which was illustrated by his son, Christopher Myers.
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) is the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of the 20th century. He got his nickname in junior high from a friend who admired the stylish way he dressed. And he kept up his stylish appearance throughout a music career that spanned more than 50 years.
Ellington's career took off in Harlem when his orchestra got a long-term gig at the prestigious Cotton Club in 1927. The club aired live radio broadcasts of Ellington's music, which exposed him to a national audience. His fame soon had him working on Broadway and appearing in Hollywood films. During his lifetime, Ellington composed nearly two thousand songs, recorded hundreds of records, and won 12 Grammy awards. His music and success have inspired future generations of performers like Beyoncé Knowles and Savion Glover.
Listen to a some of Ellington's songs (requires Real Media Player):
Savion Glover
Savion Glover (1973– ) is an acclaimed tap dancer who makes music with his feet. He began tap dancing at age seven, in cowboy boots. He didn't get a pair of tap shoes until five years later, when he got the lead role in the Broadway musical, "The Tap Dance Kid."
Since then, Glover has had an amazing career on-stage, on-screen, and around the world. At age of 15, he became one of the youngest males to be nominated for a Tony Award (Best Actor for "Black and Blue"). And at age 22, he won a Tony Award for Best Choreography (for "Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk," a musical revue of African American history.)
Glover has also appeared in several films including Tap, in which he got to dance alongside legendary tap dancers Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.; and Happy Feet, in which he choreographed moves for an animated penguin named Mumble!
Read a Q&A with Glover.
Coming soon...
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