Sounds of the 
In the years following WWI, a creative
explosion among African American writers, musicians, artists, actors, dancers,
and activists demanded that a new voice be heard in our country. The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that
changed American history, literature, and culture. In learning about the Harlem Renaissance, it
is essential to discover the interconnectedness and the influence of the
various artists and art forms on the key players in the movement. When studying the Harlem Renaissance today,
we have the advantage of using technology that allows us to actually hear the
art and artists performing their influential works. Below are links to various sound files that
will enable you to experience the sounds of the Harlem Renaissance and deepen
your understanding of this powerful movement.
Music 
Louis
Armstrong- “Stardust”: It is impossible to
begin listening to and examining the style and influence of jazz music without
beginning here with Louis Armstrong. Considered
the most important influence in jazz, Armstrong’s powerful musical talents are
demonstrated in this clip of “Stardust”.
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/video/audioplayer/jazzaudio_stardust.html
Duke
Ellington-“Black Beauty”: Duke Ellington was one
of the most influential jazz influences of the Harlem Renaissance. This clip of allows listeners to experience
jazz and the title of this work exposes listeners to a major theme of the
Harlem Renaissance-appreciating the beauty of the African American race.
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/exploring/harlem/mplyr/ellington_a_blackbeauty.html
Billie
Holiday- “Strange Fruit”: Billie Holiday was a
powerful African American female singer who began performing in the
Adelaide
Hall- “Drop Me off in Harlem”: Adelaide Hall was another well-known African American
female singer during the Harlem Renaissance.
This clip of her performance demonstrates a style of music prominent
during the period and allows listeners to hear the type of music being played
in clubs around
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/exploring/harlem/mplyr/hall_a_dropmeoffinharlem.html
Cab
Calloway-“Minnie the Moocher”: Cab Calloway is another
important musician/singer of the Harlem Renaissance. This clip allows listeners to hear the
blues/jazz music popular at this time.
This clip also exposes visitors to hear an example of the “call and
response” device made popular by African American music.
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/exploring/harlem/mplyr/calloway_a_moocher.html
Poetry 
Langston Hughes-“The Negro Speaks
of Rivers”: Hughes is known as the
“Poet Laureate” of the Harlem Renaissance.
He was the first African American to earn a living through writing and
his work influenced many. In this sound
clip, listeners can hear Hughes read his poem “The Negro Speaks of
Rivers”. Poetry was meant to be spoken
and hearing it read by the author offers a richer experience of the text. http://www.poets.org/au/lhughe01.ram
Countee
Cullen-“Heritage”: Countee Cullen was another
prominent writer and poet during the Harlem Renaissance. In this audio clip you can hear a 1925
recording of the author reading the first three stanzas of his acclaimed poem
“Heritage”.
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/exploring/harlem/mplyr/cullen_a_heritage.html
Gwendolyn Brooks-“We Real Cool”: Although Gwendolyn Brooks was raised in
Claude
McKay-“If We Must Die”: This audio clip allows listeners to experience
Claude McKay’s poem “If We Must Die” as it is read aloud by the author
himself. McKay was a powerful poet of
the Harlem Renaissance and his work is made all the more powerful in hearing it
delivered by the author.
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/exploring/harlem/mplyr/mckay_a_ifwemustdie.html
Sterling A. Brown-“Slim Greer in
Hell”: Listening to Sterling
A. Brown read his poem “Slim Greer in Hell” is a wonderful experience for anyone
who wishes to read this poem. The
dialect in which the poem is written comes to life when you hear Brown read his
work. This audio clip allows you to hear
the poem as it was meant to be heard, giving listeners a greater understanding
of the work. http://www.poets.org/au/sbrown01.ram