Jeffrey Magee
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195090222
- eISBN:
- 9780199871469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195090222.003.0002
- Subject:
- Music, Popular
Henderson came to New York City in 1920 on the threshold of the Harlem Renaissance, an era in which the “New Negro”, as defined by writer Alain Locke, would create a new era of African American ...
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Henderson came to New York City in 1920 on the threshold of the Harlem Renaissance, an era in which the “New Negro”, as defined by writer Alain Locke, would create a new era of African American history through education and sophisticated new works in the arts and culture. Henderson's education and middle-class background reflect the values of his father, an educator and church official widely known in Georgia. Atlanta University, from which Henderson graduated in 1920, further shaped his values and helped him establish connections. Henderson moved to New York later that year, as cultural change engendered new opportunities for African Americans. Henderson's initial forays into the New York music world included plugging songs for W. C. Handy and Harry Pace, serving as music director for the race record label Black Swan, and recording and touring with blues singer Ethel Waters. The latter two experiences led Henderson closer to jazz, as he made many recordings accompanying the most popular blues singers, and as he became associated with musicians who would serve as his sidemen in future bands.Less
Henderson came to New York City in 1920 on the threshold of the Harlem Renaissance, an era in which the “New Negro”, as defined by writer Alain Locke, would create a new era of African American history through education and sophisticated new works in the arts and culture. Henderson's education and middle-class background reflect the values of his father, an educator and church official widely known in Georgia. Atlanta University, from which Henderson graduated in 1920, further shaped his values and helped him establish connections. Henderson moved to New York later that year, as cultural change engendered new opportunities for African Americans. Henderson's initial forays into the New York music world included plugging songs for W. C. Handy and Harry Pace, serving as music director for the race record label Black Swan, and recording and touring with blues singer Ethel Waters. The latter two experiences led Henderson closer to jazz, as he made many recordings accompanying the most popular blues singers, and as he became associated with musicians who would serve as his sidemen in future bands.
Jason P. Chambers
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780252041426
- eISBN:
- 9780252050022
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252041426.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
John H. Johnson was a titan of 20th century business. Starting from humble beginnings, Johnson created two of the most successful magazines in American history (Ebony and Jet) and built a personal ...
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John H. Johnson was a titan of 20th century business. Starting from humble beginnings, Johnson created two of the most successful magazines in American history (Ebony and Jet) and built a personal fortune made him one of the richest people in America. Yet the strategic decisions Johnson made that led to his successes is much less recognized. This chapter examines how Johnson made key strategic decisions and choices that enabled him to build the Johnson Publishing Company into a major media force. Additionally, it analyzes the choices Johnson made as he grappled with critics of his publishing tactics, other black publishers whose businesses competed with his own, and distributors who refused to carry his products regardless of the financial benefit to them for doing so.
Less
John H. Johnson was a titan of 20th century business. Starting from humble beginnings, Johnson created two of the most successful magazines in American history (Ebony and Jet) and built a personal fortune made him one of the richest people in America. Yet the strategic decisions Johnson made that led to his successes is much less recognized. This chapter examines how Johnson made key strategic decisions and choices that enabled him to build the Johnson Publishing Company into a major media force. Additionally, it analyzes the choices Johnson made as he grappled with critics of his publishing tactics, other black publishers whose businesses competed with his own, and distributors who refused to carry his products regardless of the financial benefit to them for doing so.
