The “Great Migration” led more than six million African Americans to large cities in the north looking for better jobs and racial equality. African Americans desperately wanted to prove their intellect and artistic abilities in direct contrast of the mockery that was prevalent during this time in history. In commercials, fiction, theater, and political, civil arguments, white Americans experienced pictures of blacks as uninformed jokesters and overlooked the extreme issues confronting black Americans. (Edwards; Great Migration)
Between 1920 and 1930, African Americans experienced a change in attitude and embraced a new sense of African culture and pride. This movement was inspired by author Alain Locke’s anthology, “The New Negro.”(Martin) Though others, such as Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Dubois, influenced the Black community to rediscover their sense of African heritage and pride, Locke was central in promoting the theme of the movement through artistic and intellectual abilities. …show more content…
Many musicians, authors, and artists embraced the heritage and incorporated the ideology of the "New Negro" in their music. Louis Armstrong, known as the father of jazz, revolutionized the style and performance of jazz. Embracing the ideologies of the movement, Armstrong developed an individual style of presenting jazz as a solo artist rather than with the contemporary ensemble. He gained respect from whites and blacks and was considered a distinguished example of the New Negro movement. (Louis Armstrong) Duke Ellington mimicked Armstrong by individuality in composing and performing jazz pieces. He composed over 2000 musical works. Ellington’s, “Black, Brown, Beige," was a 42 minute musical composition that honored African Americans involved in World War II. The tribute was deemed a crossover work that brought him world-wide attention and respect.
Between 1920 and 1930, African Americans experienced a change in attitude and embraced a new sense of African culture and pride. This movement was inspired by author Alain Locke’s anthology, “The New Negro.”(Martin) Though others, such as Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Dubois, influenced the Black community to rediscover their sense of African heritage and pride, Locke was central in promoting the theme of the movement through artistic and intellectual abilities. …show more content…
Many musicians, authors, and artists embraced the heritage and incorporated the ideology of the "New Negro" in their music. Louis Armstrong, known as the father of jazz, revolutionized the style and performance of jazz. Embracing the ideologies of the movement, Armstrong developed an individual style of presenting jazz as a solo artist rather than with the contemporary ensemble. He gained respect from whites and blacks and was considered a distinguished example of the New Negro movement. (Louis Armstrong) Duke Ellington mimicked Armstrong by individuality in composing and performing jazz pieces. He composed over 2000 musical works. Ellington’s, “Black, Brown, Beige," was a 42 minute musical composition that honored African Americans involved in World War II. The tribute was deemed a crossover work that brought him world-wide attention and respect.