Cultural Contributions of the 1920s

The 1920s saw a great explosion and a growing awareness of African American culture literary, musically, and artistically. Northern cities, such as Harlem, provided a safe place for the growth and exposure of many talented African Americans. Even though the cultural movement, known as the Harlem Renaissance, began in Harlem, New York it spread throughout the nation and beyond. This great wealth of artistic talent might not have been possible without the movement of many African Americans to northern cities during the early 1900s, in order to find better jobs and escape discrimination. However, African Americans werent the only ones making cultural contributions to the fabric of the United States during the 1920s; many other Americans were adding their own influences.

Directions: In your own words complete the following chart using your textbook, online or otherwise, and the internet. Cultural Contributors (add pictures here) Art, Music, or Literature Specific Contribution and Motivation (at least 3 sentences and give examples of their work) Langston Hughes is one of the most famous names in African American literature. His biggest contribution to the society was his poetry. He made poetry written by African Americans not only acceptable but praised for its beauty and depth. Some of his works are: Dear Lovely Death, 1931 Freedoms Plow, 1943 One-way ticket, 1949

LANGSTON HUGHES

Langston Hughes was a very famous poet in the Harlem Renaissance. (Literature)

DUKE ELLINGTON

Duke Ellington was a composer, pianist and the band leader of Jazz orchestras. (music)

Duke Ellington, considered one of the greatest Jazz composers of all time, had an enormous impact on the popular music of the late 20th century. As a bandleader in his orchestra during the years 1926 to 1974 he was always was in the top five. He recorded more than 2000 compositions, mainly Jazz pieces. Some of his famous works are: Mood Indigo, 1930 Sophisticated Lady, 1933 In a Sentimental Mood, 1935

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Louis Armstrong was Louis Armstrong was a great Jazz a Jazz trumpeter improviser, the founding father of Jazz and a singer from and the international ambassador of New Orleans, swing. Louisiana. He was the first ever soloist. (Music) Some of his well know works are: Heebie Jeebies, 1926 Just One More Chance, 1931 Hello Dolly, 1964

BESSIE SMITH

Bessie Smith was an American Blues singer. (Music)

Bessie Smith was the first singer to make Jazz songs popular. He was the most famous Female Blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She was often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era. Smith was also known for her generous and charitable acts, such as giving away much of her new-found wealth and paying off hospital bills of friends. Some of her recordings are: Downhearted Blues, 1923 The St. Louis Blues, 1925 After Youve gone, 1927 Jacob Lawrence emerged as one of Americas leading figurative artists. He was the first to document the history of African Americans through widely-viewed and influential artworks. Unlike nearly any other modern or contemporary artist, he always worked in a series of paintings, each with a distinct theme. His important works are: Harriet Tubman, 1938-39 The Migration of the Negro, 1939-40 John Brown, 1941-42

JACOB LAWRENCE

Jacob Lawrence was an American painter known for his portrayal of African American life. (Art)

GEORGIA OKEEFFE

Georgia OKeeffe was an American artist. (Art)

Georgia OKeeffe was a major figure in American art from the 1920s. She is widely known for her paintings of flowers, rocks, shells etc. She found artistic inspiration in the Southwest. Some of her artworks are: Blue and Green Music, 1921 The Black Place, 1943 Sky Above Cloud IV, 1965

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American author of novels and short stories. (Literature)

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the lost generation writers. Afraid that he would die in WWI without his literary dreams fulfilled, in the weeks before reporting for duty he hastily wrote a novel called The Romantic Egoist. His work had inspired many writers from the day he was published. Some of his famous novels are: The Beautiful and Damned, 1922 The Great Gatsby, 1925 Tender is the Night, 1934

JOHN STEINBECK

John Steinbeck was an American writer. (Literature)

John Steinbeck was a very versatile writer. He had many strong themes running through his works. He always experimented with many different writing styles and point of views. Some of his novels are: The Pastures of Heaven, 1932 Tortilla Flat, 1935 The Grapes of Wrath, 1939

AARON COPLAND

Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer and later a conductor of his own music. (Music)

Aaron Copland Was one of the most respected American classical composers of the 20th century. For him Jazz was the first American major musical movement. In the late 20s his attention turned to popular music of other countries. His famous music works are: Appalachian Spring, 1944 Old American Songs, 1950 The Tender Land, 1954

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/aaroncopland/about-the-composer/475/

GEORGE GERSHWIN

George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. (Music)

George Gershwin was a marvelous composer of early music. In the beginning of his career he recorded more than one hundred forty player piano rolls under his name. He made a number of solo piano recordings of tunes from his musical. In the year 1929, he supervised the world premiere recording of An American in Paris. His works are: Rhapsody in Blue, 1924 Piano Concerto in F, 1925 An American in Paris, 1928

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/georgegershwin/about-the-composer/65/