Josephine Baker, also known as Freda Josephine McDonald, was born on June 3, 1906 in St Louis, Missouri. [1] Freda switched her name to Josephine Baker when she got married at the age of 15. She took her husband’s last name and used her middle name as her first name. Her bravery as a military agent and her ability to perform has inspired many worldwide.

During the early years of Josephine’s life, her family struggled with poverty. Josephine often had to find odd jobs to help support herself. As she got older she started to perform on the streets, showcasing her natural talent. She would later find her success on Broadway, which led her to France in the 1920s. This new found success brought her stardom, making her one of the most in demand performers of her time. [2] Her style and routine were known for their uniqueness, separating her from the rest of the performers. [4]

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was one of the most influential movements in African American history. It was a movement that celebrated the lives of black people and the art. Josephine moved to New York at the age of 15, to join the other performers participating in the movement.  She performed in Chocolate Dandies as a line dancer in the chorus. Her exotic performances in the Harlem Renaissance launched her career, which would then lead her to Paris, France. [2] 

The Charleston

The Charleston was known for its ragtime jazz.  Josephine Baker brought the Charleston dance to life, adding her own moves to add flare. During her time being a part of La Revue Negre, she brought fame and popularity to the dance in Europe and even the States. [3]

Josephine’s most known and popular performance was when she danced in a  skirt made of bananas. The audience loved the performance so much that Josephine became the highest-paid performer in Europe. After this point she became known as the “Black Venus” and “black Pearl”. [2]

 

Film Career

Josephine success carried over to the film industry. She landed singing roles films such as Zou-Zou and Princess Tam-Tam. [2] These roles were huge, Josephine became the first black women to star in a motion picture. Though these films had popularity in Europe, Josephine was a role model for many black women around the world.

WWII

As world war II had started Josephine helped in many ways. She worked for the Red cross as well as performing for the troops. [2] Josephine used her fame and popularity against the enemy by performing for them and getting information on what they were planning. She would then relay the message back to the French Resistance through sheet music.  To keep the messages hidden it was said she had used invisible ink. [1] In some cases she had to pin information to her underwear to get it the Resistance. Due to her bravery and all the intel she provided, Josephine was awarded with Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour with the rosette of the Resistance. [2]

On April 12, 1975, sadly Josephine died in her sleep. She was mourned worldwide and buried with military honors. This made her the first American women to get such honors [2]

Josephine was a hero and role model for many. She was an extraordinary woman who strove to succeed in anything she did. She fought hard for what she believed in and never let anyone stop her from succeeding. Though much of her success was in Europe, people worldwide still know her name and what she has done. This makes her a very important historical figure.

Sources:

[1] Josephine Baker. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/josephine-baker

[2] Josephine Baker. (2018, January 19). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/josephine-baker-9195959

[3] Rosenberg, J. (n.d.). The Steps and Story of the 1920s Dance Craze, the Charleston. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-charleston-dance-1779257

[4] Lewis, J. J. (n.d.). Josephine Baker: She Took Her Act to Europe to Gain Success. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/josephine-baker-biography-3528473

 

 

#M9Q1- Selena Quintanilla-Perez, also known as the “Queen of Tejano Music”, was an icon and a hero to many. She paved the way for women in Tejano music in a heavily male-dominated genre. [1]

Selena was born on April 16^th, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. [1] At a young age Selena was pulled out of school to perform as the lead singer of her family’s band Selena Y Los Dinos (Selena and the boys), which was founded by her father. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr, as well as her brothers helped launch her career by helping her compose and write her songs. [4] Though she was brought up speaking English, Selena sung in Spanish which she had to learn phonetically. [1]

Selena and her band were launched into the spotlight when they recordedtheir first album in 1984. From this time on their lives changed. Selena rose to stardom fast and in 1987 Selena won “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Performer of the Year.” [1] They were then signed in 1989 to EMI Records. [2] Being backed by a major record company, Selena recordings led to high amount of sales and her winning Female Vocalist of the Year many times in a row as well as the Grammy Award for her album “Live”.

Selena was known and loved worldwide. After one of the biggest accomplishments an artist can make, winning a Grammy award, Selena set her eyes on making an English Album that would make history. Sadly, her dreams of this album was not seen. She was killed on March 31, 1995 after being shot by Yolanda Saldivar, Selenas biggest fan and the founder of her fan club. [3] This incident traumatized many and she was mourned by the world.

Though she died at the young age of 23, she still influences and inspires many people, fans and the music industry, to this day. Selena posthumously beat the female vocalist record when her last recording of her first English album “Dreaming of You” was released. [1] It instantly became a hit and rose to the top of Billboards. Selena took over the man dominated industry of Tejano music which helped open the pathway for other female artists. Selena was a huge role model to everyone.

Many artists have been influenced by Selena. After the release of her Album “Live”, Selena’s life story become known through the film Selena, which stared Jennifer Lopez. In an interview Jennifer Lopez went on to say that Selena was an inspiration to the music industry because of her music, spirit and her heart and how she really touched the lives of people. [5] Posthumously Selena launched Jennifer Lopez’s career through her role in the film. Jennifer viewed Selena as her mentor that helped her get through the industry as well as life. Jennifer believes that Selena is still a mentor to everyone and that she stayed true to herself

Another artist inspired by Selena is Beyoncé. Beyoncé is also famously known and is an inspiration to many. While talking to MTV, she told them that she had in fact met Selena but did not end up speaking very much. [5] She told them that she had said hello and continued on her way. Beyoncé said that even though she did not know what she was saying, that it helped her in the studio with learning pronunciation. [5] Beyoncé admired her and thought she was talented and an inspiration.

Selena not only inspired artists but she also made other huge impacts. Selena’s legacy continues to grow. M.A.C released a makeup line inspired by Selena, which was petitioned by her fans. [3] These cosmetics sold out instantly, showing the huge impact Selena had. Selena was also awarded a posthumous star on the Walk of Fame. [3]

Selena’s legacy will always shine on. Her music will always be known and celebrated worldwide due to her ability to connect with her audience and for you to be able to feel the emotions she is trying to portray. I enjoy “I could Fall in Love”, her voice in this is so beautiful and you feel her emotion and passion in this song. The song puts you in a trance and you just can’t stop listening. She also sings about something that everyone feels in their lifetime so you can really connect to the words. Though she is barely mentioned in the text, I believe she should be talked about more due to her impact on Tejano music and the doors she opened for many women.

Sources:

[1] Selena. (2017, November 08). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/selena-189149

[2] Selena Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Sc-St/Selena.html

[3] Desta, Y. (2017, March 22). Forever Selena: How a Fallen Icon’s Legacy Has Kept Her Alive. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/selena-film-anniversary

[4] Saez, C. (n.d.). Iconográfica: How Selena Went From Pop Star to Patron Saint. Retrieved from http://remezcla.com/features/music/iconografica-santa-selena/

[5] Wurzburger, A. (2017, October 17). 15 Celebrities Who Are Totally Inspired By Selena Quintanilla. Retrieved from http://www.vh1.com/news/330781/celebrities-inspired-by-selena-quintanilla/

 

 

 

Ferdinand Joseph Lamothe, also known as Jelly Roll Morton, was born on October 20, 1890 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents were racially mixed Creole, making him African, French, and Spanish. Ferdinand would later adopt his stepfathers name, Morton.¹ He was a highly skilled musician and known as a ragtime and jazz pianist, an innovator of his time. ^1,2

Background

At a young age of 10, his interest in music kept growing and soon led him to be playing in New Orleans’ red-light district.  Everyone there would soon give him the nickname of “Jelly Roll”.^1,2 Listeners knew him as the young pianist who could blend styles of ragtime as well as dance rhythms.² Morton was at the front of the movement that would soon be known as “jazz”.

As a teenager Morton took on many occupations to earn a living such as a musician, gambler and even a pimp.3 Morton had a strong personality and became very confident in his abilities to the point he was telling everyone that he was the “inventor of jazz”.² Though the claims were false it led to resentments. There was no doubt that he could be seen as an innovator of his time. Many believed that he was the first jazz musician that put his arrangements on paper, with “Original Jelly Roll Blues” the first orchestration ever published.¹

After many years Morton moved to Chicago where he would get his big break with the recording company, Victor Talking Machine Company, who would lead him to success.¹ Morton would then lead the “Jelly Morton’s Red Hot Pepper”.  The Red Hot Peppers earned National Fame, especially with “Black Bottom Stomp” and “Smoke – House Blues”, the sound and style produced laid the foundation for the swing movement that would soon become popular.² Morton had a four year run with the group which displayed his talents as a composer and a pianist.

Original Jelly Roll Blues 

Original Jelly Roll Blues was composed by Jelly Roll Morton. Morton played it as a piano solo 2 years before performing it with his band “Red Hot Peppers”. The bands version produces a tango like rhythm, which highlights how different cultures have influenced jazz. To hear the difference between Jelly Roll Morton’s piano version and the bands see reference below. 4

Black Bottom Stomp

Black Bottom Stomp was only recorded once by Morton and the Red Hot Peppers. It was one of Mortons most well known pieces. This song really  captures New Orleans’ jazz. The trumpet, clarinet and trombone are the main layers of this song and can be clearly heard throughout.5 Morton adds an energetic flair though his use of different tunes and instruments making it a fun song for the audience.

Grandpa’s Spells

Grandpa’s Spells was one of the best known ragtime pieces by Morton. It was versatile song that could be played as a piano solo or turned into a band piece.6 Part of the song calls for the performer to smash on the lower keys of the piano with their left hand.  I have included Jelly Roll Morton’s version on the piano as well as the Red Hot Peppers version.

Later Career

During the time of the Great Depression Morton’s fame soon disappeared leaving him struggling to make a living. He eventually had to get rid of the diamond he had on his front tooth.³   Many people no longer wanted to hear hot jazz.³

To make money Morton would play in dive bars where he would later meet folklorist Alan Lomax. Lomax would record a series of interviews for the Library of Congress in which Morton offered an oral history of the origins of jazz and to demonstrate the styles on piano.^1,2 These recordings would spark an interest in Morton but due to poor health it prevented him from staging a comeback and he died on July 10, 1941. ^1,2

 Legacy

Morton was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.²

References

¹Jelly Roll Morton. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Jelly_Roll_Morton

²Jelly Roll Morton. (2014, April 02). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/jelly-roll-morton-9415945

3 Roll Morton. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.redhotjazz.com/jellyroll.html

4 Original Jelly Roll Blues. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://musicinsideout.wwno.org/2013/09/14/original-jelly-roll-Black

5 Bottom Stomp – Jelly Roll Morton. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thewininboy.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-bottom-stomp.html

6 Edwards, B. (n.d.). Jelly Roll Morton Compositions. Retrieved from http://www.perfessorbill.com/pbmusic_morton.shtml

Pictures

Jelly Roll Morton. (2014, April 02). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/jelly-roll-morton-9415945

Jelly Roll Morton. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.redhotjazz.com/jellyroll.html

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