James Rosamond Johnson
1874-1954, Composer
James Weldon Johnson, and James Rosamond Johnson, Brothers
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"
It was originally performed as a poem for Lincoln's birthday in 1900, by 500 students at Stanton School, and written by it's principal James Weldon Johnson, Johnson's brother. He wrote it to introduce their honored guest, Booker T. Washington. In 1919, the NAACP adopted the song as "The Negro National Anthem" and it became the inspiration of the New Negro Movement.
Lil Harden Armstrong 1898-1971
Composer, jazz pianist, singer, and band leader.
"Oriental Swing"1936-1940
http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/mMDBluSMUas-lil-hardin-armstrong-her-swing.aspx. Taken from her album "Lil Harden Armstrong and Her Swing Orchestra She grew up with her grandmother, a former slave in Mississippi. She is the second wife of Louis Armstrong and they collaborated on many recordings in the 1920's.
Duke Ellington 1899-1974
Composer, Pianist, and Band Leader.
"It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" 1931 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FvsgGp8rSE.
Lyrics by Irving Mills. Ellington wrote about this song ""as the expression of a sentiment which prevailed among jazz musicians at the time." It introduced the term "Swing" into everyday language. He is the 20th century's best-known artist. A major trend setter of Harlem Renaissance music.
"If it hadn't been for Jazz, there wouldn't be no rock and roll."
Louis Armstrong
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