HISTORY MAKERS!
Our Top of the Day is a real delight – the exquisitely drawn Night Club Map of Harlem in 1932 by renowned illustrator E. Simms Campbell, an African American commercial artist featured in Life, Esquire (& the companion periodical he created, Esky), The New Yorker, Ebony, Cosmopolitan as well as countless other magazines & papers. This detailed map shows many of the bigger music joints & restaurants that populated Harlem during a key year in its Renaissance (1910-mid 1930s.)
We were so excited we spent a lot of time exploring its features, discovering the sparks of life & humor Campbell brought to life. Campbell’s map is featured in the book version of Ken Burns; Terry referenced the award-winning documentary. Jerry found a link to “The Snake Hips” dance that & Katje found a video of Gladys Bentley, the “gal” in the & high-hat, singing. Check the links! What an entrancing treasure hunt!
Thanks to Vera's suggestion, we listened to & and viewed performances of the work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint George, who was a predecessor of Mozart. He’s sometimes referred to as the “Black Mozart,” as I mentioned in our meeting, but it’s almost considered a derisive comment as he was his own important artist without needing comparison. He was also a multi-disciplined creator, a swordsman, a brilliant mind. Much of his work is lost, but if you are a fan of classical music or opera, the pieces that are available (links to some performances included below) will delight & inspire you. His work is graceful, elegant and though he wasn’t African American, he's part of World Black History.
Finally, we looked at Cicely & Miles Visit the Obamas (2017) from painter Henry Taylor. Taylor often paints iconic figures referencing famous photos or images in modern or culturally significant settings. He paints the luminous, recently-departed Cicely Tyson with her husband of many years, jazz innovator Miles Davis, at the White House to meet President & First Lady, Mrs. Obama. Henry was inspired by the 1968 Ron Galella photo of the duo, dubbed, the “coolest couple in Hollywood,” at Cicely’s Heart is a Lonely Hunter premiere. Vera reminded us that Cicely’s short natural hair was controversial at the time. The painting enlivened our imaginations with its story possibilities & bright color choices complementing this superstar couple.
More fun mañana if you’re free!
- E. Simms Campbell, Harlem Map, 1932 -- link --
- Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges -- link --
- Henry Taylor, Cicely and Miles Visit the Obamas, 2017 -- link --
- Ron Galella, Cicely Tyson and Miles Davis, 2017 Heart is a Lonely Hunter premiere, 1968 -- link --
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