Musicians & Entertainers Black History Posters & Prints, “I...-K...”
for the classroom, home schoolers, inspirational images for the home or office.

Dancing Spirit by Judith Jamison

Judith Jamison
b. 5-10-1943; Philadelphia, PA

Judith Jamison, who studied dance from age 10, was invited to dance in 1964 by Agnes de Mille in her ballet “The Four Marys” at the American Ballet Theatre. In 1965 Jamison joined the Alvin Ailey Dance company and became their principal dancer through 1980. Among her notable roles was Ailey's “Pas de Duke” (1977) with Mikhail Baryshnikov set to the music of Duke Ellington, she starred in the Broadway musical “Sophisticated Ladies”, also set to Ellington's music.

Jamison was named Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater upon Ailey's 1989 death and has choreographed many works for the Company since then.

Mahalia Jackson
b. 10-26-1911; New Orleans, LA
d. 1-27-1972; Chicago

Contralto Mahalia Jackson was referred to as “The Queen of Gospel”. Her signature song became “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”, the lyrics by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey; it was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s favorite song.

• Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns by Mahalia Jackson, Audio CD

Michael Jackson
“The King of Pop”
b. 8-29-1958; Gary, Indiana
d. 6-25-2009; Los Angeles, CA

Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk, in 1983.

• Michael Jackson: Albums, Songs, Bios, Photos

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson
b. 9-24-1893; Coutchman, TX
d. 12-19-1929; Chicago

Blues singer and guitarist Blind Lemon Jefferson was a popular singer in the 1920s, called the “Father of the Texas Blues”.

Francis “Jack” Johnson
b. 1792; Martinique, West Indies
d. 1844; Philadelphia

Francis “Jack” Johnson, a musician and prolific composer during the Antebellum period, was the first African American to have his works published as sheet music. He also was the first African American to give public concerts and the first to participate in racially integrated concerts in the United States. Johnson led the first American musical ensemble to present concerts abroad (for the coronation of Queen Victoria, and he introduced the promenade concert style (strolling in public areas while orchestra plays) to America.

• Music of Francis Johnson & His Contemporaries, Audio CD

James P. Johnson
b. 2-1-1894; New Brunswick, NJ
d. 11-17-1955; Jamaica, NY

James P. Johnson, called Jimmy, was a pioneer in the stride style of jazz piano. The term “stride” comes from the left-hand “striding” up and down the keyboard. Though often overlooked today, Jimmy Johnson's influence can be heard in the work of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum and ‘Fats’ Waller.

FYI - Johnson wrote the tune associated with the Charleston dance - think of the movie It's a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed at the school dance as the floor opens over the pool.

• The Original James P. Johnson 1942-1945

Robert Leroy Johnson
b. 5-8-1911; Hazlehurst, Mississippi
d. 8-16-1938; Greenwood, MS

Blues singer and musician Robert Leroy Johnson, known as “The King of the Delta Blues” did not enjoy commercial success in his lifetime. The recordings made from 1936–37 have influenced later generations of musicians.

• Robert Johnson Complete Recordings [Box set], Audio CD

James Earl Jones
b. 1-17-1931; Arkabutla, MS

James Earl Jones is a stage and screen actor perhaps best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies.

FYI - Jones was raised by his grandparents in Michigan and started college as pre-med at the University of Michigan.

Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones
b. 1-5-1868; Portsmouth, Virginia
d. 6-24-1933; Providence, RI

Opera soprano Sissieretta Jones was known as the “Black Patti” in reference to the Italian singer Adelina Patti. In addition to singing for four presidents (Benjamin Harrison, Cleveland, McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt) she sang for the British royal family, toured with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and had great international success.

Her opera career in the US was stymied by racism so she formed the Black Patti Troubadours which toured the vaudeville circuit. She left performing in 1915 to care for her mother, and died penniless in 1933.

Scott Joplin
b. c 1867-68; near Linden, TX
d. 4-1-1917; New York City

Scott Joplin, a pianist and composer of ragtime music, studied music theory, harmony and composition in Sedalia, Missouri.

• The Greatest Ragtime of the Century

B. B. King
b. 9-16-1925; Itta Bena, Mississippi

Riley B. King, called B. B. for “Beale Street Blues Boy”, is ranked at #3 on the Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

• The Ultimate Collection - B. B. King

Eartha Kitt
b. 1-17-1927; North, SC
d. 12-25-2008; Weston, CT

Eartha Kitt, an actress and singer, started her entertainment career as a member of the Katherine Dunham Company.

• Purrfect: The Eartha Kitt Collection, CD

Gladys Knight
b. 5-28-1944; Oglethorpe, GA

Singer-songwriter Gladys Knight is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s with her group the Pips. She is also an actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author.

• Gladys Knight & The Pips