Black Female Musicians in the 1920s

The Most Well Known Black Female Musicians in the 1920s

Presenter: Erika Randall

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 21-22

Semester: Fall

Faculty Mentor: Beth Ann Turner

Department: Music

Funding Source/Sponsor: Class Project, SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_hqhZxQSnqKRApkGyTXjEBTzWjlthwUX

Abstract:
My project is about the influential Black female singers of the 1920s. I introduce three singers known as Ma Rainey, Josephine Baker, and Bessie Smith. I chose to focus on these three because they were the most well-known Black female singers. Each of their performances and styles was different. Josephine Baker performed more in front of white crowds and the other two performers performed in front of black crowds. In addition, I also created my own little Blue's song in a slower rhythmic beat that coincides with the lives of each of the singers.