The Harlem Renaissance Remembered: Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and the Sound of the Harlem Renaissance: Library Edition

Gross, Jonathan; Jordan, "Mack" Jay

ISBN 10: 1441848673 ISBN 13: 9781441848673

Publisher: Brilliance Audio Lib Edn, 2010

Synopsis

New York City, uptown, Harlem. In the 1920s it was the most exciting place in the world. Poets, writers, dancers, and musicians all came together and invented a new American culture - a dazzling and revolutionary African American culture of music and poetry and art. Everyone who was anyone wanted to come to Harlem and hear the music of jazz genius Duke Ellington, the rap-like stylings of Langston Hughes, and the classical lyricism of Countee Cullen. It was a true time of rebirth for African Americans who were striving for recognition and respect. It was The Harlem Renaissance - an explosive celebration of African American life and culture like the world had never seen before. It produced some of the 20th century's greatest and most influential artists; artists like Ellington, Hughes, and Cullen who are remembered and loved today. Filled with energy and the spirit of freedom and creative expression, The Harlem Renaissance changed America forever. Hear it and experience it yourself in THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE REMEMBERED.

About this title

About the Author:

Jonathan Gross is a Professor of English at DePaul University and is The Director of the DePaul Humanities Center, and the author of more than five books. Mack Jordan and Jonathan Gross perform a Harlem Renaissance show, featuring the poetry of Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen and the music of Duke Ellington, which has played at the Old Town School of Folk Music for the past five years as part of Black History Month and for Urban Gateways. Mack Jay Jordan played as one of the Ebon-knights with the Ramsey Lewis trio at the Baby Grand Cafe (1954) at 8th Avenue and 125th Street in New York City. He then worked as a Nat King Cole act as part of Legends in Concert, playing for ten years in Las Vegas and touring Japan and London. Jonathan and Mack live in Chicago.

From AudioFile:

The recording of a one-man show by "Mack" Jay Jordan features songs such as "Take the 'A' Train," "It Don't Mean a Thing," and "It's a Wonderful World." Between songs, listeners get a taste of the writings of Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, and others. Jordan's narrative voice, which makes the scenes set by descriptive passages seem real, brings listeners to the nightclubs and streets of Harlem between the world wars. His singing brings fond memories of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Jonathan Gross introduces and closes the production with his thoughts on jazz and the show. This seamless blend of history, poetry, and music serves as an entertaining introduction to an exciting period of African-American culture. J.A.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Brilliance Audio Lib Edn
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1441848673
• ISBN 13: 9781441848673
• Binding: Preloaded Digital Audio Player