Jazz artist Tony Williams dies

Mya

Mya Marie Harrison, or simply Mya, is a Grammy award winning singer, actress and dancer who has appeared in a variety of roles over the years. Named after acclaimed poet Maya Angelou, Mya was born on October 10, 1979 in Washington D.C. Her father Sherman is an African American while her mother

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Source: Black History Resources

Oct

10

1979

Juneteenth Should Be Observed by All Americans

Usher Raymond wants all of America to celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday, and not just for the culture but for the economic impact and the “many contributions” Blacks have made to this

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Source: The Black Chronicle

Rukobo sheds off old image

VERSATILE artiste Rudo Rukobo yesterday said she has been taking advantage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown to work on her clothing label project and an extended play (EP) set to feature Tocky Vibes and Jah

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Source: NewsDay Zimbabwe - Everyday News for Everyday People

America Has Tried And Failed To Explain Its Racism To The World | HuffPost

Thousands of people around the world are sending a dual message to Americans as they protest the death of George Floyd, the latest casualty of the systemic violence against Black residents of the

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Source: HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost-0

Queen of Go-Go Maiesha Rashad Takes Her Groove to Heaven

After a five-month battle with stomach cancer, Maiesha Rashad, recognized for catapulting the reach of D.C.'s go-go groove to new heights and an increasingly diverse fan base, died on June

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Source: The Washington Informer

#ACCESS901: You Oughta Know – Bijoux

Earlier in 2020, Bijoux released the single, “Dit Moi,” which will be followed by the release of the full EP once the novel coronavirus decides to let us be great

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Source: TSDMemphis.com - The New Tri-State Defender - TSDMemphis.com

Lena Horne

A pioneer among African-American performers, Lena Horne had the talent and beauty to crack the race barrier in Hollywood in the 1940s. A smooth singer of bluesy ballads, Lena Horne appeared onstage in Harlem when she was only 14 years old, and by age 16 she was singing in the famous Cotton

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Source: Fact Monster - Black History

Earl Whaley Band

Earl Whaley was an alto-saxophone player and bandleader from the San Francisco Bay Area. He moved to Seattle and led one of the first swing bands on the West Coast, The Red Hot Syncopators, who started performing successfully around Seattle at the Broadway and Finnish Halls in 1932. The band never

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Source: Black Past

Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte is an eminent African-American figure in the American entertainment industry. He is a notable singer, lyricist, actor and social activist. Belafonte came to international stardom as “King of Calypso” for his popular Caribbean musical style. He is famous for his

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Source: Black History Resources

Mar

1

1927

Stokes, Charles Moorehead (1903-1996)

Charles Moorehead Stokes, one of three sons of Rev. Norris Jefferson Stokes and Myrtle Garner Stokes, was born on February 1, 1903 in Pratt, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas Law School in 1931 and soon after opened his law practice in Pratt but later moved to Topeka to serve as an

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Source: Black Past

Nov

25

1996

Akon

Akon is an American Hip Hop artist who has produced several platinum albums, appeared in television and film roles, received several Grammy nominations and owns two record labels. He was born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam in St. Louis, Missouri on April

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Source: Black History Resources

Apr

16

1973

St. Augustine Catholic Church, New Orleans, Louisiana (1841- )

St. Augustine Catholic Church of New Orleans was the first black church in Louisiana and the first black Catholic church in the United States. In the 1830s a group of free African-American New Orleanians began organizing to create a Catholic church in Tremé, a historically black and multicultural

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Source: Black Past

Oct

9

1842

Norman, Jessye (1945- )

Best known as an opera singer, Jessye Norman has also lent her rich, dramatic, and powerful voice to recordings and recitals of spirituals and hymns– including a particularly compelling version of “Amazing Grace” and Christmas carols, in addition to recording jazz. She has never limited

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Source: Black Past

Sep

11

2001

#AAMAM: “Just A Shot Away” – Rediscovering Legendary Session Singer Merry Clayton (LISTEN)

Back in March 2014, as she was experiencing 50 years in the music business, legendary session singer Merry Clayton got one more chance at stardom when the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, about the world’s most renowned backup singers, won the Best Documentary

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Source: GOOD BLACK NEWS

Africa: How Live Music Is Meeting the Coronavirus Challenge

The Urban Sessions, a series of live streamed music concerts, is exploring a new way of online performance to help musicians hit badly by Covid-19

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Source: allAfrica.com

A Guide To Black-Owned Wine And Spirts For Your Summer Activities

As you prepare your bar with your favorite wine and spirits, add a few Black-owned brands to your top

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Source: Black Enterprise - The Premier Resource for Black Entrepreneurs and Career, Tech, and Money Content for Black People - Black Ent

Holiday, Billie

Holiday, Billie, 1915–59, American singer, b. Baltimore. Her original name was Eleanora Fagan. She began singing professionally in 1930, and after performing with numerous bands—especially those of Benny Goodman , Teddy Wilson, Count Basie , and Artie Shaw —she embarked in 1940 on a career of

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Source: Fact Monster - Black History

Smith, Bessie

Smith, Bessie, 1894–1937, American singer, b. Chattanooga, Tenn. About 1910 Smith became the protégée of Gertrude (Ma) Rainey, one of the earliest blues singers. After working in traveling shows she went to New York City, where she made (1923–28) recordings, accompanied by such outstanding artists

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Source: Fact Monster - Black History

New leadership for Nubian Square

The organization, formerly Dudley Square Main Streets, coordinates efforts to improve Roxbury’s largest commercial district, now known as Nubian

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Source: The Bay State Banner

William James "Willie" Dixon: Helped Shape the Post–World War II Sound of the Chicago Blues

William James “Willie” Dixon: Helped Shape the Post–World War II Sound of the Chicago Blues

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Source: Black Then

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz icon of the 20th century. She was born on April 25, 1917 in Virginia to William and Temperance Fitzgerald. The couple separated soon after Ella’s birth, and Temperance moved to New York with her boyfriend, Joseph De Silva. She had a half sister named

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Source: Black History Resources

Jun

15

1996

Mathis, Johnny (1935 - )

John “Johnny” Royce Mathis, singer, was born in Gilmer, Texas on September 30, 1935, the fourth of seven children born to Clem, a chauffeur and handyman, and Mildred, a maid. The Mathis family moved to San Francisco, Californias Fillmore District when Mathis was a young child. When

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Source: Black Past

Sep

30

1935

Waller, Fats

Waller, Fats, 1904–43, American jazz musician, singer, and composer, whose original name was Thomas Wright Waller, b. New York City. Waller began playing the piano as a child, and later studied with Carl Bohm and Leopold Godowsky. He became a protégé of James P. Johnson, who gave him piano lessons

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Source: Fact Monster - Black History

Keith, Kenton Wesley (1939- )

On May 26, 1992, career diplomat Kenton Wesley Keith was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to serve as U.S. ambassador to Qatar. After U.S. Senate confirmation, Keith arrived in Ad-Dawhah (Doha), the capital of Qatar and presented his credentials on September 2, 1992. He served until July

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Source: Black Past

Spike Lee

Spike Lee is a famous American award winning director. His birth name is Shelton Jackson Lee and he was born in Atlanta, Georgia to an arts teacher named Jacqueline Carroll and a jazz musician named William James Edward Lee III. He was nicknamed “Spike” by his mother who encouraged his

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Source: Black History Resources

Ash, Aesha (1977- )

Born in Rochester, New York, on December 30, 1977 to Costello and John Ash, Aesha Ash grew up in a strong, supportive working class family with two brothers, Spencer and Jonathan Ash. From the age of five Ash took jazz and tap

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Source: Black Past

Dec

30

1977

Cole, Nat “King” (1919–1965)

Jazz pianist and popular singer Nathaniel Adams Coles was born into a musical family in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. His mother Perlina was a choir director in his father Edward’s Baptist church. His three brothers, Edward, Ike, and Freddy, became professional musicians. Cole also had

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Source: Black Past

Feb

15

1965

Soul Singer Randy Hall is on a Hot Streak with New Solo Single "A New Way of Love" Following Vault Hit with Late Jazz Legend Miles Davis

Randy Hall has enjoyed international chart-topping success with his solo single “How Do You Want Your Love” (co-composed with Kevin Toney, founding keyboardist of Donald Byrd’s Blackbyrds band) which vaulted over superstars such as Charlie Wilson and Usher to hit the top of the U.K. Soul Chart and

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Source: http://www.blacknews.com

Juneteenth: Celebrating The Early Moments Of Freedom Today

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday of notable significance for many African

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Source: Black America Web

BHERC Brings Back Popular Independent African American Film Festival in Virtual Format Streaming on BHERC TV | L.A. Focus Newspaper

Fresh from the success of the online debut of the 27th annual “Sistas Are Doin’ It for Themselves” film festival in May, BHERC is bringing back the popular and longstanding Indie film festival on its new streaming service BHERC

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Source: La Focus Newspaper

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