Fred Astaire As “Bojangles Of Harlem,” 1936, (video)

Here’s a vintage 1936 original photograph capturing Fred Astaire wearing blackface attired to evoke the dancer and Harlem man Bill Robinson, in the “Bojangles of Harlem” solo sequence of “Swing Time”. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive…

Harlem’s “Buddy” Bradley, Tap Dancer And The First African-American To Run A British White Company

Buddy Bradley, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1908. He staged dances in the great 1920s revues for Ziegfeld, George White, Earl Carroll and Lew Leslie’s legendary black revue Blackbirds. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from:…

‘Puttin On The Ritz’, Ode To Harlem, 1930 (video)

“Puttin’ on the Ritz” is a popular song written and published in 1929 by Irving Berlin and introduced by Harry Richman in the musical film Puttin’ on the Ritz, 1930. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing…

Harlem Man William James “Count” Basie 1904 – 1984 (video)

William James “Count” Basie August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984, was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. His mother taught him to play the piano and he started performing in his teens. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting…

Rodgers And Hammerstein Harlem, NY, 1940-50’s

Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960) met in a brownstone on West 119th Street while both attended Columbia University in West Harlem, New York. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke…

Harlem’s Frankie Manning

Frankie Manning (May 26, 1914 – April 27, 2009) was an American dancer, instructor and choreographer. Manning is considered one of the founding fathers of the Lindy Hop. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from:…

Leonard Harper, Harlem, New York 1925

Leonard Harper (born April 9, 1899 in Birmingham, Alabama- died February 4, 1943, Harlem, New York) was a producer /stager/ choreographer in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. Become a Harlem Insider! Sign-Up for our Newsletter *Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting…