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In music, the Harlem Renaissance witnessed the rise of influential figures like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith. Their innovative sounds and soulful expressions captured audiences worldwide, shaping the future of jazz and blues.

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The rise of the era "Harlem Renaissance", came about during "The Great Migration",  one of the largest movements of people in the US history. Between the years of About 6 million African Americans from the rural South moved to urban areas in the North, Midwest, and West of the United States for the promise of better job opportunities, improved living, and greater social and political freedoms in the North. From 1918 to 1937, the Harlem Renaissance became an amazing time of great creativity in musical, theatrical, and visual arts, yet it became more prominent for the literature produced during this era.

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The Creation of The Golden Age -  Harlem Renaissance : 1918-1939

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The Creation of The Golden Age -  Harlem Renaissance : 1918-1939

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The birth of the Harlem Renaissance marked a significant cultural and artistic movement in the early 20th century. It emerged in the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem, New York City, becoming a hub for African American Creativity and intellectualism. During this era, numerous prominent African Americans made their mark in various fields.

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Duke Ellington was a composer, bandleader, and pianist whose career lasted for over 5 decades. He emerged as a important figure during the Harlem Renaissance. Ellington contributed immensely to the cultural and musical landscape of the era. Ellington's creative approach to jazz music, blending elements of classical, blues, and swing, revolutionized the genre. His band, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, became a symbol of elegance and sophistication,capturing audiences across the globe. His contributions to the Harlem Renaissance not only enriched the jazz scene, but also challenged racial stereotypes to new heights of recognition and respect. Ellington's legacy as a musical genius and cultural icon lives on to this day.

VIDEO OF DUKE ELLINGTON'S SONG "Take the A Train" composed in 1939 below!!!

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Legendary jazz singer and songwriter, Billie Holiday soulful and emotive performances made her an icon of the Harlem Renaissance. Holiday, growing up with poverty, escaped her daily struggles with music and developed her own unique style that merged jazz, blues, and swing. Her haunting renditions of songs like "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child" displayed her ability to convey deep emotions and shed light on the racial injustice during the time. Holiday's distinctive phrasing, precise timing, and powerful storytelling grabbed audiences and influenced musicians everywhere. Her contributions to the Harlem Renaissance not only elevated jazz as an art form but also served as a voice for the African American community. Holiday's impact on music and social activism still lives on to this day, placing her as one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time.

BILLIE HOLIDAYS LIVE PERFORMANCE of "Strange Fruit" in 1959 (song composed in 1937) in link below!!

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Writers such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee Cullen, captivated readers with their powerful words, exploring themes of identity, race, and social justice. Their works continue to resonate today, showcasing the richness of the African American experience.

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Langston Hughes was a renowned African American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist who played a significant role in the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes became one of the most influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance, using his poetry to capture the experiences, aspirations, and struggles of Black people in America. His poetry addressed themes of racial inequality, identity, and gave a voice to the hopes and dreams of the Black community. Hughes poetry often incorporated elements of jazz & blues, making it relatable to a wide audience. Hughes's role in the Harlem Renaissance was essential in shaping the cultural and artistic movement. His poetry has left a lasting impact on the literary world and the fight for equality.

VIDEO OF HUGHES's POEM : The Negro Speaks of Rivers BELOW!!

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Another prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen became known for not only his poetry, but his ability to convey complex emotions through his work. Cullen, like Hughes , also brought attention to the struggles and experiences of African Americans through his poetry. His poems explored racial identity, discrimination, and the beauty of the African American culture. Cullen's work not only celebrated the richness of black heritage, but also challenged the prevailing stereotypes of the time. His contributions to the Harlem Renaissance continue to inspire and influence poets in today's world.

COUNTEE CULLEN's POEM "Heritage" IN LINK BELOW!!!

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In the visual arts, Aaron Douglas pioneered the use of African motifs and symbolism, while Augusta Savage created stunning sculptures that celebrated black identity. All of the artists in this era challenged traditional notions of beauty and representation, leaving a huge impact on the art world.

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Aaron Douglas - Pioneer of Harlem Renaissance Visual Arts

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Aaron Douglas - Pioneer of Harlem Renaissance Visual Arts

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Aaron Douglas was an African American painter and Visual Arts Educator. His uniquely hand painted designs captured the racial injustice issues across the nation. He opened the door for young African Americans to utilize their natural artistic skills with his involvement with the Harlem Artist Guild. He founded the Art department at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, which he then ended his art career to become a visual arts instructor at Fisk. He remained at Fisk until his retirement in 1966.

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Augusta Savage was an influential African-American sculptor and teacher who made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance. Savage established herself as a prominent sculptor, creating powerful and expressive works that showed African-American subjects and highlighted their struggles, achievements, and cultural heritage. Her sculptures vividly captured the beauty, strength, and resilience of the Black community. Her most famous works is "The Harp", which was exhibited in New York at at the World's Fair in 1939. However "The Harp" was destroyed after the fair. Savage played a crucial role in the support of other African-American artists during the Harlem Renaissance. She paved the way for future generations of African American artists and left a lasting impact on the art world.

VIDEO OF SAVAGE'S WORK IN LINK BELOW!!!

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More of the visual art from various artists from Harlem Renaissance

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Writers of Harlem Renaissance (continued)

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Writers of Harlem Renaissance (continued)

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Website with Literature from Various authors of Harlem Renaissance

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Literature and Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance

As Harlem transformed into a hub for African Americans in the early 1900's, African American writers began to thrive in the new, intellectually-charged atmosphere. By the 1920's, many works were receiving critical praise in mainstream literary circles and popular acclaim among both black and white audiences. Originally dubbed the New Negro Movement, this outpouring of literature came to be known as The Harlem Renaissance.While some black poets continued to write primarily in traditional English literary forms, others explored black vernacular speech and lyrical forms while creating works that identified with the African American masses. The politics and ideals born from this era would serve as inspiration to African American artists for years to come and would also help to lay the foundation of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.

In addition to being published authors, many writers were poets, playwrights, journalists, and editors.

Though the literary themes that arose in this period are diverse, they are generally focused on promoting racial pride and embracing indigenous African sentiment. Many works addressed feelings of alienation experienced by minorities in American society, seeking to uplift those burdened by continuing racism and stereotyping. The result was a rich and complicated union of progressive ideals with traditional African American customs and folklore.

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An Archive for Virtual Harlem: Literature and Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance

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Literature and Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance As Harlem transformed into a hub for African Americans in the early 1900's, African American writers began to thrive in the new, intellectually-charged atmosphere. By the 1920's, many works were receiving critical praise in mainstream literary circles and popular acclaim among both black and white audiences.

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Playlist of the various musicians from Harlem Renaissance! Good playlist to play on a Sunday afternoon!

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The leaders of the Harlem Renaissance were a group of talented and influential individuals who played a pivotal role in creating this vibrant era. They were writers, artists, intellectuals and musicians who all had one thing in common, and that was to uplift the African American community through their hard work. These leaders transformed Harlem into the core of artistic expression with a sense of community, pride, and cultural reawakening.

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Alain Locke, referred to as the the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance" played a crucial role in shaping and promoting this significant cultural movement. Locke was a philosopher, writer, and Educator who advocated for the artistic and intellectual achievements of African Americans. Locke's most notable contribution to the Harlem Renaissance was his influential essay collection title " The New Negro". Published in 1925, this collection highlighted the diverse talents and perspectives of many African American artists and intellectuals. Locke's effort helped to elevate the visibility and recognition of African American artists and intellectuals. His work laid the foundation for the new era.

Locke's "The New Negro" Essay Collection in Link Below!!!

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Du Bois was a important African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activists who made significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance. He was a leading figure who advocated for racial inequality and empowerment of African Americans. Du Bois used his writings and activism to contribute to the Harlem Renaissance. Du Bois's book " The Souls of Black Folk", published in 1903 explored various issues of African Americans and had a profound impact on the Harlem Renaissance. He also co-founded the Niagara Movement , which later evolved to the NAACP. NAACP became a critical organization in the fight for civil rights and played a vital role in advancing the goals of the Harlem Renaissance.

Du Bois's Book - The Souls of Black Folk available at link below!! ( Must Sign Up for Free to "Borrow" full book to read whole book)

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Leaders of Harlem Renaissance (Continued)

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Leaders of Harlem Renaissance (Continued)

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Reference :

Lewis, Femi. "5 Leaders of the Harlem Renaissance." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/leaders-of-the-harlem-renaissance-45321.

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The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic movement that began as a way to fight against racial injustice in the United States. Yet, it is remembered most for the fiery poetry of Claude McKay and Langston Hughes as well as the vernacular found in the fiction of Zora Neale Hurston.

How did writers such as McKay, Hughes and Hurston find the outlets to publish their work? How did visual artists such as Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller and Augusta Savage achieve fame and funding to travel?

These artists found support in leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Alain Leroy Locke and Jessie Redmon Fauset. Read more to find out how these men and women provided support to artists of the Harlem Renaissance.

W. E. B. Du Bois: Architect of the Harlem Renaissance

Throughout his career as a sociologist, historian, educator, and sociopolitical activist, William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois argued for immediate racial equality for African-Americans.

During the Progressive Era, Du Bois developed the idea of the "Talented Tenth," arguing that educated African Americans could lead the fight for racial equality in the United States.

Du Bois' ideas about the importance of education would be present again during the Harlem Renaissance. During the Harlem Renaissance, Du Bois argued that racial equality could be gained through the arts. Using his influence as editor of the Crisis, Du Bois promoted the work of many African American visual artists and writers.

Alain Leroy Locke: Advocate for Artists

As one of the greatest supporters of the Harlem Renaissance, Alain Leroy Locke wanted African Americans to understand that their contributions to American society and the world were great. Locke's work as an educator, advocate for artists and published works all provided upliftment for African Americans during this time in American history.

Langston Hughes argued that Locke, Jessie Redmon Fauset and Charles Spurgeon Johnson should be considered the people "who midwifed the so-called New Negro literature into being. Kind and critical--but not too critical for the young--they nursed us along until our books were born."

In 1925, Locke edited a special issue of the magazine Survey Graphic. The issue was entitled, "Harlem: Mecca of the Negro." The edition sold out two printings.

Following the success of Survey Graphic's special edition, Locke published an expanded version of the magazine. Entitled The New Negro: An Interpretation, Locke's expanded edition included writers such as Zora Neale Hurston, Arthur Schomburg and Claude McKay. Its pages featured historical and social essays, poetry, fiction, book reviews, photography and visual artistry of Aaron Douglas.

Jessie Redmon Fauset: Literary Editor

Historian David Levering Lewis notes that Fauset's work as a critical player of the Harlem Renaissance was "probably unequalled" and he argues that "there is no telling what she would have done had she been a man, given her first-rate mind and formidable efficiency at any task."

Jessie Redmon Fauset played an integral role in building the Harlem Renaissance and its writers. Working with W.E.B. Du Bois and James Weldon Johnson, Fauset promoted the work of writers during this significant literary and artistic movement as literary editor of Crisis.

Marcus Garvey: Pan African Leader and Publisher

​As the Harlem Renaissance was picking up steam, Marcus Garvey arrived from Jamaica. As leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Garvey ignited the "Back to Africa" movement and published a weekly newspaper, Negro World. Negro World published book reviews from writers of the Harlem Renaissance.

A. Philip Randolph

Asa Philip Randolph's career spanned through the Harlem Renaissance and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Randolph was a prominent leader in the American labor and socialist political parties who successfully organized the Brotherhood for Sleeping Car Porters in 1937.

But 20 years earlier, Randolph began publishing the Messenger with Chandler Owen. With the Great Migration in full swing and Jim Crow laws in effect in the South, there was much to publish in the paper.

Soon after Randolph and Owen founded the Messenger, they began featuring the work of Harlem Renaissance writers such as Claude McKay.

Every month the pages of the Messenger would feature editorials and articles concerning the ongoing campaign against lynching, opposition to United States' participation in World War I, and appeals to African-American workers to join radical socialist unions.

James Weldon Johnson

Literary critic Carl Van Doren once described James Weldon Johnson as " ...an alchemist-he transformed baser metals into gold"(X). Throughout his career as a writer and an activist, Johnson consistently proved his ability to uplift and support African Americans in their quest for equality.

In the early 1920s, Johnson realized that an artistic movement was growing. Johnson published the anthology, The Book of American Negro Poetry, with an Essay on the Negro's Creative Genius in 1922. The anthology featured work by writers such as Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Claude McKay.

To document the importance of African-American music, Johnson worked with his brother to edit anthologies such as The Book of American Negro Spirituals in 1925 and The Second Book of Negro Spirituals in 1926.

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The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic movement that began as a way to fight against racial injustice in the United States. Yet, it is remembered most for the fiery poetry of Claude McKay and Langston Hughes as well as the vernacular found in the fiction of Zora Neale Hurston.

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Resourceds used for Research :

https://scalar.usc.edu/works/harlem-renaissance/music-from-the-harlem-renaissance

https://www.britannica.com/summary/Harlem-Renaissance-Timeline

https://www.history.com/news/harlem-renaissance-writers

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An Archive for Virtual Harlem: Music from the Harlem Renaissance

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The music of the Harlem Renaissance has its roots in jazz. Jazz is considered a musical language of communication and was the first indigenous American style to affect music in the rest of the ...

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Rise & Fall of Harlem Renaissance: How Did it End?

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Rise & Fall of Harlem Renaissance: How Did it End?