Harlem’s Home Town Tunes
Matthew Oscarson What time to be alive. When you think of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1900s to 1930s, the image that comes to mind is a resurgence in African American culture, art, music, and literature. These realms have influenced the history of the neighborhood, the city of New York, and the United States. The transformations that occurred for thirty years radically altered notions of race, art, and culture across the country. I delve into this fascinating era to discuss the extraordinary impact of jazz, its influential musicians, and the songs that helped the people of Harlem cope with everyday life. However, that story leads us to Harlem's vibrant nightlife. Where did Black people listen to music? How they partied, danced, and sang? What was the meaning of spending the…