Showing posts with label Black Power. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

DID YOU KNOW, George W. Johnson was the first...?

By Mister Promo | November 4, 2015

George W. Johnson

... was the first Black Recording Artist. In 1890 George W. Johnson (GWJ) became the first African American to record commercially. A common story is that Johnson, a former slave, was discovered singing on the streets of Washington, D.C., by Berliner recording agent Fred Gaisberg.

Known for and as, the

"Whistling Coon" and

"Laughing Darkey".

He created "laughing songs".

According to historian Tim Brooks, Johnson was a familiar figure in New York City's Hell's Kitchen and made his first commercial recordings in the spring of 1890 for the Metropolitan and New Jersey Phonograph companies. Previously, Johnson had also made tin foil exhibition recordings. Later in 1890, a group called The Unique Quartette followed Johnson into the recording studio. The Unique Quartette recorded again in 1893, and one of their titles, "Mama's Black Baby Boy" survives in stunning fidelity.

For more on GWJ and other early black

recording artist, click the link before.

African American Performers

Thank you.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Happy Birthday Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Celebrating 100 Years of Billy Strayhorn! !

by Mister Promo | February 3, 2015

Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn. Born November 29, 1915 in Dayton, OH. Billy was known as one of American History's greatest composer, lyricist, arranger and pianist.
His parents were Lillian Young Strayhorn and James Nathanial Strayhorn. He was the youngest of nine siblings (four of which died). Growing up, there were many struggles. The family moved from home to home, city to city. Until finally in 1924 the family settled in Pittsburgh, PA.
Billy attended Westinghouse High School and Pittsburg Musical Institute for piano lessons.

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Post writing his first classical waltz in 1934. He would get introduced to Jazz. This introduction caused Billy's musical emphasis to change.

In 1937, he started to compose in this genre and founded his first jazz group. One year later, he became a protégé of Duke Ellington after meeting the renowned musician and composer in Pittsburgh. He remained with Ellington for the next 25 years.

(See more on the topic just above by clicking "1937")

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During his independent adult years, he has resided in the then beautiful city of Paris. And his final years were spent in NYC.

Billy Strayhorn passed away May 13, 1967 at age 51.

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Kelly-Strayhorn Theater event celebrates life of a jazz legend

By Natalie Bencivenga / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Place: Kelly-Strayhorn Theater on Saturday, November 29th, 2014.

The Party: Roughly 200 guests gathered at the East Liberty venue to celebrate what would have been the 99th birthday of jazz legend and Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre namesake, Billy Strayhorn. The evening began with a cocktail reception and champagne toast, birthday cake (naturally!) before a tribute performance with famed jazz drummer Roger Humphries, vocalist Spanky Wilson and brass quintet C Street Brass. Deryck Tines energized the crowd with his soulful rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Partygoers who stayed late enjoyed an impromptu dance party in the theater lobby with DJ SMI.

The Man Behind the Music: “Strayhorn is not only a monumental musician for Pittsburgh, but for the world,” said Janera Solomon, executive director for the Kelly-Strayhron Theatre. “As an openly gay black man, he transcended social stigmas and achieved worldwide recognition.”

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This year Billy Strayhorn would have been 100 years old. Although he is no longer, physically, in our presence he will always have a space to call home in our hearts and soul. Bill Strayhorn will forever reside there.

If worse comes to worse YouTube will always be here to replay his voice to us. Click play below and you'll understand.

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Thank you for tuning into our

first segment of Born in 1915.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

TPS Top 28 Black History Month Songs

By Mister Promo & The Rock-It Scientist | February 1, 2015

BHM - Time for Kids

Please allow us to start this month off right. We would like to present to you our music playlist of black tunes from various artist covering many eras. Some are motivational songs while others are just feel good tunes. The reason we have created a Top 28 I think is pretty obvious. This month only has 28 days in it. Unless it is a leap year. In which it is not. However, this means you may either listen to one song per day or just listen to the entire playlist in one sitting. Your choice.

Thank you so much for dropping in and reading this post.

We hope you enjoy!

VVV Click Link Below VVV

Top 28 Black History Month Songs