Black entertainers inspire our generation

by Chas J. Hartman, Jeevon Harris and Lauren Gross
It's On Staff

HARLEM RENAISSANCE

The Harlem Renaissance might be one of the most recognized artistic movements of the black community. Although it was not an organized movement, it was a period of creativity and liveliness among black writers, artists, musicians and entertainers. Starting as a series of literary discussions in the lower Manhattan (Greenwich Village) and upper Manhattan (Harlem) sections of New York City, this black cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance.

With the publication of Claude McKay's poem "Harlem Dancer," the Renaissance was the first time in American history in which black artists were able to express themselves fully. The migration of blacks to northern cities led to the Harlem Renaissance. Why Harlem? With the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in New York, many activists moved to make a difference.

One of the main goals of the Harlem Renaissance was to recognize the existence blacks as an artistic entity. The movement succeeded in showing the African American as an individual of great achievements. Among the artists usually associated with the Harlem Renaissance are Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, painter Palmer Hayden, poet Langston Hughes, painter Lois Mailou Jones, Zora Neale Hurston, Rudolph Fisher, James Weldon Johnson and Jean Toomer.

The movement ended in 1929 with the haunting of the Great Depression, but the Harlem Renaissance continues to be an inspiration to many.

OSCAR MICHEAUX (director)

In honoring black film, one cannot disregard Micheaux - the pioneering black filmmaker. He was the first African American to produce a feature-length film and also the first African American to make a "talkie" motion picture.

Micheaux's passion for writing led to several novels he published under his company and sold door-to-door. Later he decided his stories would be better as films.

After starting a production company, Micheaux's first picture, ••Homesteader••, brought his autobiographical novel to the screen in 1919.

Micheaux always was in control of his productions. He hired the cast and crew, directed and distributed the films. He prided himself on his "all-star, colored cast."

This great filmmaker was not afraid to cover controversial subjects - lynching, crime, discrimination and more. He also was not afraid to explore sexual topics.

He made a total of about 40 films, but many were lost and only 10 are available commercially. In 1951, he died of a heart attack while promoting his work. Today, his work paves the way not only for black filmmakers but cinema in general.

JOSEPHINE BAKER (dancer/actor)

Baker was one of the first black performers to transcend race and appeal to audiences around the world. She was a dancer, singer, film and Broadway star and eventually became a Parisian icon.

Baker worked as a maid at a very young age. By age 14, she had left home to work with a traveling vaudeville troupe. In 1921, she was cast in Broadway's first black musical, ••Shuffle Along••.

That was just the beginning of her career, which took her to Paris as the star of ••La Revue Ne'gre••.

Europe offered Baker many film and stage roles, but the United States didn't treat her as well when she returned in 1937 to appear with the Ziegfeld Follies. In 1937, she became a French citizen and served in World War II as an intelligence liaison.

After the war, she returned to the United States and finally won respect. In 1951, the NAACP honored her as the Most Outstanding Woman of the Year. After pregnancy that resulted in a complicated stillbirth, Baker decided to adopt. By 1965 she had adopted 10 sons and two daughters of all races and nationalities. In 1974, she starred in ••Josephine••, a show based on her life. She suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage a few days later and died.

LENA HORNE (dancer/actor/performance artist)

During the war-torn years of the 1940s, Horne surfaced as a sophisticated, intelligent black woman. The Brooklyn native formerly was a chorus line dancer in Harlem at the now-legendary Cotton Club. In the early '40s she became the first black woman to sign a contract with a major movie studio, MGM. She overcame efforts by the powers-that-be to have her change her name so she could pass for a Latina.

Horne appeared in all-black movie musicals such as ••Stormy Weather•• and ••Cabin in the Sky••, but those were the only two that cast her in starring roles. In the rest of her 11 movies, she appeared as herself, performing songs and dances but never a part of the plot. Blacklisted from TV work in the 1950s, she continued to perform in nightclubs. But Lena Horne still is praised as a legendary class act.

SIDNEY POITIER (actor/director/social activist)

Poitier began his career as a Bahamian actor but became the first great black American superstar. A native of Cat Island, Bahamas, Poitier moved to Miami to live with his brother. After experiencing racial tension for the first time, he was determined to find and create opportunities for other blacks.

At 18 he went to New York, did menial jobs and slept in a bus terminal. He was rejected at an impulsive audition at the American Negro Theatre and dedicated the next six months to overcoming his accent and performance ineptitude.

He was accepted on his second try. Spotted in a rehearsal and given a bit part in a Broadway production of ••Lysistrata••, Poitier had to choose between leading roles on stage by the end of 1949. He was cast in the film ••No Way Out••, where his performance as a doctor treating a white bigot received much attention. In 1958, he won his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in ••The Defiant Ones••. Five years later, he won the Oscar for ••Lilies of the Field••, making him the first black to win for a leading role.

Although he rarely is spotted on the screen, Poitier remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in film.

THE JEFFERSONS (sitcom)

One of TV's longest-running and most popular sitcoms, ••The Jeffersons•• created new roles and a new status for blacks in television. Debuting in 1975, ••The Jeffersons•• was an ••All in the Family•• spin-off that rapidly became a hit of its own. The premise: A wealthy, successful black family dealing with prejudice, including their own - all in a comedic way.

Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson) began taking acting lessons while working for the post office. After five years, Hemsley went to New York, where he traded his postal route for a gig off-Broadway. He made his Broadway debut in 1970 in ••Purlie••. It wasn't long before Hemsley was offered the part of George, replacing Henry Jefferson, George's brother.

Hemsley has acted steadily since, including a five-year run on ••Amen•• and guest spots on popular television shows.

Isabel Sanford (Wheezy) spent more than 30 years in theater and on Broadway before deciding to go to Hollywood. She landed several guest roles on shows like ••Bewitched•• and the ••Mary Tyler Moore Show••. Sanford also worked with Poitier in the film ••Guess Who's Coming to Dinner••.

In 1971, Sanford took the part of Louise Jefferson, for which she was awarded an Best Actress Emmy in 1981. She continues to be seen on screen and stage, often with Hemsley.

KASI LEMMONS (director)

Lemmons began her acting career in ••Fear Of A Black Hat••. She also had a role in husband Vondie Curtis Hall's directorial debut ••Gridlock'd••, with Thandie Newton and the late Tupac Shakur.

Lemmons made her directorial debut with 1996's ••Eve's Bayou••, the most successful independent film of 1996. Her next venture is ••The Caveman's Valentine••, for which she will partner with the dynamic Samuel L. Jackson.

JUDITH JAMISON (dancer)

Born in 1943, Jamison was destined for success in the arts. Her father was a pianist, and her mother was a violinist. Jamison was enrolled in dance classes at 6 years old. She later attended the Philadelphia Dance Academy. Jamison debuted professionally with the American Ballet Theatre in ••The Four Marys••, choreographed by Agnes De Mille.

Her big break came in 1965 when Director Alvin Ailey spotted her. She quickly became a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and traveled internationally. Her solo dance number "Cry" in 1971 was labeled an emotional masterpiece and is one of the most memorable pieces in dance history. Over the years, Jamison worked so well and closely with Alvin Ailey, that following his death in 1989, she was appointed to his position as head of the AAADT.

Under her guidance, the AAADT is creating a new legacy and continues to receive high acclaim and awards. In the winter of 1999, Bill Clinton presented Jamison with the Kennedy Center Honor for Lifetime Contribution to Arts and Culture.

JOHN SINGLETON (director)

Singleton was born in 1968. After numerous honors and awards in high school and college, he made his debut when Columbia Pictures bought his script for ••Boyz N the Hood••, which received two Oscar nominations. Singleton has said that much of the story comes from his own experiences in South Central Los Angeles. Next he made ••Poetic Justice•• and ••Higher Learning••.

Also on his resume is the 1992 Michael Jackson music video for "Remember the Time." Singleton's latest feature is a revival of the '70s Blaxploitation icon ••Shaft••, with Samuel L. Jackson. Singleton is working on his next film, ••Baby Boy••, set for summer 2001.

MORGAN FREEMAN (actor)

Freeman was born in Memphis, Tenn., in 1937. He reigns as one of the contemporary screen's most accomplished black actors.

His career began as Easy Reader on the PBS TV series ••The Electric Company••. In 1987, he earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his first big feature film, ••Street Smart••. Freeman's credentials include ••Clean and Sober••, ••Glory••, ••Unforgiven••, ••The Bonfire of the Vanities•• and ••Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves••.

He also performed amazingly in ••Lean On Me•• and ••Driving Miss Daisy••, for which he received another Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He continues to work on stage in plays such as ••Petruchio•• and ••The Taming of the Shrew••. Freeman is probably most recognized in ••The Shawshank Redemption•• (yet another Best Actor nomination), ••Outbreak•• and ••Seven••.

JANET JACKSON (singer)

As the youngest member of the Jackson family, Janet Jackson has become one of the most successful female artists in history. She is a critically acclaimed actress, singer, songwriter, producer, choreographer and dancer. Some fans remember Jackson on the sitcom ••Good Times••. She later moved on to shows such as ••Diff'rent Strokes••, ••A New Kind of Family•• and ••Fame••.

In 1986, Janet exploded on to the music scene with the eight-time platinum ••Control••. In 1989, she released ••Rhythm Nation 1814•• and sold more than 8 million albums. In 1990, Janet embarked on her first world tour, The Rhythm Nation 1990 World Tour. Other albums include ••janet.•• and ••Velvet Rope••. Jackson also has stayed true to her acting roots by appearing in 1993's ••Poetic Justice•• and 2000's ••Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps••.

Jackson sold more than 70 million albums, costarred in two blockbuster films and embarked on three successful tours.

ELLA FITZGERALD (singer)

The first lady of song, Fitzgerald was born April 25, 1918, in Newport News, Va. She relocated to New York as a child with her parents and siblings. In 1934, she performed at the world-famous Apollo Theatre and won first place in the amateur night competition.

In 1935, she began recording with the Chic Webb Orchestra and helped develop the sound, scat singing. She also toured with Dizzy Gillespie's band and scored hits with "Lady Be Good," "How High the Moon" and "Flying Home." She also was featured in Pete Kelly's "Blues" in 1955.

After a long and prosperous career, Fitzgerald began to have heart and eye trouble. Eventually she had to have the lower part of her legs removed because of diabetes. She retired from show business in 1992 and died June 15, 1996.

She released more than 70 albums during her career. Her last album was released in 1989.

DR. DRE (rapper/producer)

When it comes to the West Coast G-Funk rap sound, Dr. Dre is the godfather. With other members of the group N.W.A, Dre pioneered gangsta rap. He then took rap to the next level with ••The Chronic••. Dre entered the solo game as not only an accomplished rapper, but also a masterful producer. He brought the element of melody to rap with the use of piano, guitar, bass and other string instruments.

Dre is a man with an eye for talent. He brought Snoop Dogg into the rap world, then spotted a Detroit rapper by the name of Eminem. Snoop learned enough under Dre's tutelage to have his own promising solo career. Eminem broke racial boundaries by making the cover of Source magazine.

Most artists could not afford to take eight years off to make their second album and still sell millions of records, but Dre beat the system by creating an even better album than ••The Chronic•• with ••The Chronic 2001••. In 2001, Dre sits atop the rap world as its premier producer and the leader of Aftermath Records. He shows no signs of stepping down as the Godfather of Rap.

PRINCE (musician/singer)

Critics made a big deal of Trent Reznor's ability to write, arrange, perform, record, produce and do everything else on his own. But Reznor isn't the first artist to take total control of his work. Prince did it more than 10 years prior to the first Nine Inch Nails album and made an arguably more influential work than Reznor.

As a singer-songwriter, Prince is an absolutely brilliant artist. He wrote the lyrics to "Nothing Compares 2 U," which made Sinead O'Connor's career. He wrote the theme song for the year 1999, wrote the perfect love album with ••Purple Rain•• and succeeded in his soundtrack adventure with ••Batman••. FYI, it took him only two weeks to make the entire ••Batman•• soundtrack.

In the new millennium, Prince no longer is the laughingstock of the music world - he lost that whole "Artist Formerly Known As..." moniker. He now also acknowledges the importance of major labels and extensive touring. Look for the man who wrote a song called "P**** Control" to make his triumphant return to the top this year.

MICHAEL JACKSON (singer)

That he is known as "The King of Pop" says it all. No other solo artist in history is as successful as this child musician turned adult star. First, he captivated millions as a child in The Jackson 5. He then took the world by storm with the Bible of pop albums, ••Thriller••. That pivotal 1980s album is second only to The Eagles ••Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975••.

In the '80s, Jackson seemed untouchable with a string of hit albums including ••Off The Wall•• and ••Bad••. The '90s witnessed his musical output become more sporadic. His songs no longer toped the charts. Also, drama with his two divorces and other accusations made him a shady character.

He now seems poised for a comeback. He apparently has refocused his personal endeavors on making pop music again. Dre refused to produce Jackson's new album; but even without Dre.'s help, the new album is starting to create a media buzz months before its release.

MILES DAVIS (musician)

Davis set the standards for all rock stars with his amazing career. This man stretched the boundaries of jazz music, performed with the greatest artists of the time and lived a lifestyle plagued with drugs and arrests. His parents probably never imagined what would happen when they gave their son a trumpet for his 13th birthday.

As an incredibly gifted songwriter, this jazz musician studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, then released the highly influential album ••Birth Of The Cool•• in 1954. That same year, Davis kicked his heroin habit and began his most prolific composing period. All his efforts culminated with the multi-platinum jazz masterpiece ••Kind of Blue•• in 1959.

Davis unfortunately relapsed into a period of drug use that eventually led to run-ins with the law. At 65, he passed away in a Santa Monica, Calif. hospital. Artists in almost all genres of music cite Davis as a major influence on their music. He most importantly taught artists the importance of embracing the success their music brings them and living life to its fullest.

LOUIS "SATCHMO" ARMSTRONG (musician)

Much like Davis, Armstrong influenced an entire generation of jazz musicians. His work on the trumpet certainly is something not many musicians matched during Armstrong's time, and it probably is never going to be repeated again. He made music for 45 of his 69 years of life and released 14 albums.

Armstrong performed with an elegance and ability that left listeners virtually stunned. He certainly is missed.