Black Music of the Century: The Harlem Renaissance

In the time of bootlegging, charcoal lungs, and The Great Gatsby, the Harlem Renaissance was booming. Instead of learning about Ella Fitzgerald in school, I could confidently give you an essay about how the green light is somehow connected to Nick Carraway’s bedroom curtains.

In other words, when was the last time the Harlem Renaissance has occupied your thoughts? That is why I’m here to provide you with WONDERFUL music for your virgin ears. A few recommendations I’d give would be Ethel Waters, Billie Holiday, and as previously mentioned, Ella Fitzgerald. Their voices seep through the static of the vinyl like honey, something lovingly soothing to listen to on Sunday mornings. And of course, Louis Armstrong, as most of our generation would recognize as that one singer from the movie Madagascar (a compliment to Mr. Louis). His raspy voice shook America, singing half the nation to sleep after a long day. Lastly, I’d love to end this appreciation piece with a nod to one of my favorites, The Ink Spots. A black jazz music quartet that eerily reminds me of Boys ll Men. Hits such as “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire” and “We’ll Meet Again”, and my personal favorite “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” featuring Ella Fitzgerald. For a band of lengthy song names, they have very short songs, but I hope you guys could take the time out of your day to groove to something on this list. Now I hope this article has motivated you to scramble through your grandparents Vinyl collection and sell them on eBay. In our next issue, we will be covering more modern music (Not sure what my con-writer is choosing but I’m hoping Steve Lacy.)

The Black Book Corner: Alexandre Dumas

Now this is the beginning of a two-part series which I would like to call The Black Book Corner. Basically, an introduction to Black History Month where we would like to cover a classic book and modern book written by Black authors!

Anyone who knows me is already groaning by now, I mention this book to anyone and everyone I meet. I first checked out this book hoping the librarians would notice it and instantly want to be friends, but I was very wrong. Now you may be asking, “Wow Alexis. What is this wonderful book you’re going to rant to us about?”, and I answer to you my dear reader- The Count of Monte Cristo. A book filled with petty revenge, murder, and disgustingly has a jam-ham sandwich named after it. Alexandre Dumas, the author of such works as The Three Musketeers and of course, The Count of Monte Cristo, has managed to leave such an impact in our culture DESPITE being a mixed black man in the 1800’s. The book follows a young lover named Edmond Dantes who is framed for treason, sent to prison, and 14 years later escapes to seek revenge on those who wronged him. As he tries to navigate this new life, he also tries to seek out his past love and old rivals. Now rich with the treasure of Monte Cristo, he can now make his enemies pay under an alias. I love this book. It reminds me of a bedtime story, so enchanting and intriguing. With every second of the book, I was excited to read what he did next with his new identity, “seeing” him meet with old companions again was SO FUN. The feats Dumas achieved is astounding, his work (even though being super old) is incredibly easy to read. In the end, I give this book 8/10, two points off for the chapter before the ending because I had read so many pages only for it to stab me in the back.