One of the major parts of the Harlem Renaissance was to lift Black Pride through the use of intellect. Intellectual African Americans, using their artistic talents, challenged racial stereotypes, and helped to promote racial integration. Racial Pride came to be represented in the idea of the New Negro, who through intellect, could challenge the white man's beliefs about black people.
The Jazz age started to form out of this modern music created by African Americans. There was also a significant increase in market labels because of this increase in new types of music. Harlem became famous for its concentration of talented African American artists, actors, musicians, and writers. African Americans created new ways to use instruments and a whole variety of new types of music, literature, and arts.
"Once you wake up thought in a man, you can never put it to sleep again." Zora Neale Hurston
A Scantily-Clad Josephine
Josephine Baker Josephine Baker sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. Famous for barely-there dresses and no-holds-barred dance routines, her exotic beauty generated nicknames "Black Venus," "Black Pearl" and "Creole Goddess." Admirers bestowed a plethora of gifts, including diamonds and cars, and she received approximately 1,500 marriage proposals. She maintained energetic performances and a celebrity status for 50 years until her death in 1975. Unfortunately, racism prevented her talents from being wholly accepted in the United States until 1973.
The Cotton Club, 656 W 125th St New York, NY 10027:
The Duke at the Cotton Club
Duke Ellington:
Duke Ellington called his music "American Music" rather than jazz, and described those who impressed him as "beyond category. "He is widely considered one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music and is the twentieth century's best known band leaders and composers.
Louis Armstrong Poster
Louis Armstrong: Louis Armstrong rose to fame in the 1920s. His mentor had been Joe "King" Oliver. Oliver had often sent Armstrong out on jobs that he could not fit into his schedule. In 1919 Oliver went to Chicago, leaving Louis to fill his place in the best jazz band in New Orleans, that of Kid Ory. In 1921, King Oliver wired Armstrong from Chicago and asked Louis to join him in Chicago's Lincoln Gardens.
This was a pivotal point in Armstrong's life. Armstrong felt that New Orleans was his home, but he admired King Oliver too much to reject the offer. Later in life, Armstrong stated, "His (Oliver's) calling for me was the biggest feeling I had musically." In Chicago, Oliver utilized Louis' harmonic talent by improvising a line, and letting Louis complete the melody. This awed jazz enthusiasts, and word of Louis' talent spread throughout the city. While King Oliver was Armstrong's mentor, his talent as a soloist dimmed in comparison to Louis'.