Overview
From Sidney Poitier and Billie Holiday to Halle Berry and Tupac Shakur, African Americans in the Performing Arts profiles African Americans, from the early years to the present day, who have built successful careers in the performing arts. With up-to-date information, including commentary on the history-making 2002 Oscars when African-American actors won both best lead actor awards, this volume in the A TO Z OF AFRICAN AMERICANS set offers a wealth of useful information for students, general readers, and lovers of the performing arts. Beginning with a general introduction on African-American performing artists, this book also includes a bibliography of works on the topic, subject indexes listing performers by year of birth and fields of activity, and a general index. Each entry provides a biographical profile, concentrating on the events in that person's life related to his or her accomplishments in the performing arts, and a list of further reading on that individual. This volume spotlights actors, dancers, singers, musicians, composers, and choreographers. Coverage includes: Alvin Ailey: modern dancer, choreographer, dance company founder Harry Belafonte: singer, actor, producer Dr. Dre: rap singer Morgan Freeman: actor W. C. Handy: blues songwriter, pianist Lena Horne: singer, actress Thelonius Monk: jazz pianist, composer Leontyne Price: opera singer Richard Pryor: comedian, film actor Bill Robinson: tap dancer, film actor Stevie Wonder: singer, musician, songwriter and many others.
