The Harlem Renaissance

1. The Harlem Renaissance By Andrea Wageman

2. Aaron Douglas (Background) • Born on May 26, 1899 in Topeka, Kansas • Graduated from the University of Nebraska • Graduated also from Columbia University Teachers College • Died on February 2, 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee

3. Aaron Douglas (cont.) • Work was inspired by African art • Encouraged by Winold Reiss • “Dean of African-American painters” • Retired in 1966

4. Aaron Douglas (Works) • Series of murals for 135th St. Branch of NY Public Library • Illustrations for James Weldon Johnson’s book God’s Trombones • Paintings: Idylls of the Deep South, Song of The Towers, Into Bondage, The Crucifixion, Go Down Death, Let My People Go, Noah’s Ark, and more

5. Aaron Douglas (His Works) • Depict emerging black American individuality • Proudly showed black contributions • Saw blacks as nothing less than a proud majestic person • Impacted the future of black expression in art

6. Aaron Douglas (Pictures) The Crucifixion Noah’s Ark Mural From NY Public Library

7. Arna Bontemps (Background) Born October 13, 1902 in Alexandria, Louisiana Tension with his father, sent to a white boarding school Graduated in 1923 from Pacific Union College Died June 4, 1973 writing his autobiography

8. Arna Bontemps (cont.) • Married Alberta Johnson on August 26, 1926 • Had six kids • Enchanted with Harlem and moved to NY • Head librarian at Fisk University until retirement in 1965

9. Arna Bontemps (Works) Poems included: The Day-Breakers, Southern Mansion, God Give to Men, Length of Moon, A Black Man Talks of Reaping, Reconnaissance Novels included: Black Thunder, God Sends Sunday, Drums at Dusk, Popo and Fifina: Children of Haiti, Chariot in the Sky, The Old South

10. Arna Bontemps (His Works) • Frustrated about reaching his generation, turned to younger people • Collaborated with W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and others • Made kids books that focused on African Am. experience

11. Arna Bontemps (Poems) The Day-Breakers We are not come to wage a strife With swords upon this hill, It is not wise to waste the life Against a stubborn will. Yet would we die as some have done. Beating a way for the rising sun. Length of Moon Then the golden hour Will tick its last And the flame will go down in the flower. A briefer length of moon Will mark the sea-line and the yellow dune. Then we may think of this, yet There will be something forgotten And something we should forget. It will be like all things we know: . A stone will fail; a rose is sure to go. It will be quiet then and we may stay Long at the picket gate But there will be less to say.

12. Arna Bontemps (Pictures)

13. Lil Hardin Armstrong (Background) • Full name: Lillian Beatrice Hardin • Born on February 3, 1898 in Memphis, Tennessee • Married and divorced twice • Died on August 27, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois

14. Lil Hardin Armstrong (cont.) • Attended three colleges • Fisk University • Chicago College of Music • New York College of Music • Mother didn’t approve of blues music • First job as pianist: Jones Music Store, $3/week

15. Lil Hardin Armstrong (Works) • “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue” • “Just For a Thrill” • “Hotter Than That” • “Two Deuces” • “Born to Swing” • “Brown Gal”

16. Lil Hardin Armstrong (Her Works) • Greatly responsible for Louis’ career • Styles: swing, jazz, and blues • Played piano and sang • Lost her passion after divorce with Louis Armstrong

17. Lil Hardin Armstrong (Music) • “Just For a Thrill” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvu0bYVLkX8&feature=player_detailpage • “Oriental Swing” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDBluSMUas

18. Lil Hardin Armstrong (Pictures)