by Sharon P-Y
How much do you know about Black music history?
From Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Black woman credited with creating rock music, to Ella Fitzgerald, whose smooth voice earned her the title of “the queen of jazz,” Black artists have been cementing their place in music history since time immemorial. Whether you’re into fiction, nonfiction, film, or music, you can find something at the library. See if one of these suggestions works for you as a perfect way to pay homage to Black music innovators during Black Music Month.
Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem’s Legendary Theater written by Ted Fox and illustrated by James Otis Smith
You would have a tough time finding someone who isn’t familiar with the Apollo Theater. Located in Harlem, itself a mecca of Black culture in New York City, the Apollo has for decades provided an invaluable platform for numerous Black artists. This graphic novel details the theater’s influence on Black music history.
Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smith
The impact that Black women have made on pop music from the conception of the genre and well into today cannot be overstated. In her latest release, Smith masterfully mixes history, both musical and otherwise, with her experiences as a lifelong music fan to craft an insightful ode to Black women musicians.
The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton
If fiction is more your thing, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev might be exactly what you’re looking for. Though the story is a fictional history of a musical duo that never existed, the harsh lessons Opal, an unconventional Black artist, learns over decades about navigating the music industry as a Black woman are all too real.
Respect (2021)
If you’re talking about Black music innovators, Aretha Franklin is one artist who more than deserves to be a focal point in that conversation. This dramatic retelling of Franklin’s life stars vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson, who landed a NAACP Image Award in 2022 for her portrayal of the title role.
World Music Radio by Jon Batiste (2023)
Is there anything Jon Batiste can’t do? In World Music Radio, his seventh album, Batiste bends the limits of numerous genres to create a concept album that defies description. He proves, yet again, why he is often hailed as one of the most creative musical minds of our time.
Sharon Pruitt-Young is an Instructor and Research Specialist at East Columbia Branch. Aside from books, she is passionate about writing, urban sketching, trees, and art of all kinds.
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